Introdução: Prever a capacidade de resposta a fluidos continua sendo um desafio para os médicos que lidam com pacientes instáveis hemodinamicamente. A utilização de parâmetros estáticos, como pressão venosa central (PVC) tem sido usada por décadas, mas não é confiável, evidências robustas sugerem que seu uso deve ser abandonado. Ao longo dos últimos 15 anos, foram desenvolvidos vários testes dinâmicos, baseados no princípio de alteração da pré-carga cardíaca, usando as interações coração-pulmão, e, consequentemente do débito cardíaco. A elevação passiva das pernas (EPP), a infusão de pequenos volumes de fluidos, a variação da pressão de pulso (ΔPP), as variações nos diâmetros de grandes veias tem sido muito utilizados para avaliação de fluidoresponsividade (FR), neste contexto. Objetivo: Analisar e comparar medidas estáticas e dinâmicas antes, após EPP e após infusão de SF, verificando qual delas apresentam melhor FR. Métodos: Trinta e um pacientes instáveis hemodinamicamente e sob ventilação mecânica (VM) foram incluídos no estudo. Foram avaliados VTIFAO, VTIFMi, IDVCI, ΔPP, PVC, PAM antes de qualquer intervenção, após EPP e após infusão de 500ml SF. As variações dos parâmetros foram calculados para todos os pacientes. Resultados: Após EPP e infusão de SF o VTIFAO aumentou em 10% ou mais em 14 (45%) e 18 (58%) pacientes respectivamente, definidos como FR. A EPP previu a capacidade de resposta a fluidos com uma sensibilidade de 77,7%, especificidade de 100%, valor preditivo positivo de 100% e probabilidade de falso positivo de 0%. O parâmetro utilizado como padrão para FR foi o VTIFAO após SF. A PVC, o IDVCI, o ΔPP, PAM e avaliação médica não se mostraram capazes de avaliar adequadamente FR. Conclusão: Em pacientes instáveis hemodinamicamente e sob VM, a EPP foi capaz de avaliar FR com adequada sensibilidade e especificidade, podendo ser usada com segurança, antes da administração de fluidos. / Introduction: Predictig fluid responsiveness remains a constant challenge for physicians dealing with hemodynamically unstable patients. The use of static parameters, such as central venous pressure (CVP), although used for decades is not a trustworthy source, and the suggestion derived from more robust evidence suggests that the use of such should be abandoned. Over the last 15 years, various dynamic tests have been developed based on the principle of altering the cardiac preload, by using the heart-lung interactions and consequently cardiac output. Hence, Passive Leg Raising (PLR), the intake of small amounts of fluid, the variation of pulse pressure, variations in the diameter of large veins have all been widely used for evaluating fluid responsiveness (FR), within this context. Objective: The underlying objective behind this study was to test, if the non-invasive evaluation with transthoracic echocardiography, the Subaortic velocity time integral (VTI), the Distensibility Index of the Inferior Vena Cava (dIVC), the mitral velocity time integral (MTI), the (CVP) and the change in pulse pressure (ΔPP) after (PLR) and fluid infusion (500ml of saline solution) are able to predict the responsiveness of fluid therapy. Methods: Thirty one hemodynamically unstable patients, under mechanical ventilation (MV) were included in the study. Evaluations were made of VTI, MTI, DIVC), ΔPP and CVP before any intervention, after PLR and after infusion of 500ml saline solution. The variations of the parameters were calculated for all patients. Results: After PLR and infusion of saline solution, the VTI increased by 10% or more in 14 (45%) and 18 (58%) patients, respectively, defined as fluid responders. The PLR predicted a response capacity to fluids with a sensibility of 77,7%, specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value of 100% and a false positive probability of 0%. The CVP, dIVC, ΔPP, PAM and the medical evaluation were not capable of providing an adequate FR evaluation. Conclusion: In hemodynamically unstable patients under MV, PLR were capable of precisely predicting the capacity of FR. / Dissertação (Mestrado)

Introdução: A fluidoterapia é o tratamento de primeira linha para pacientes em choque hemorrágico ou choque séptico para restauração do volume circulante e da perfusão tecidual, mas diversas questões relacionadas a este tópico permanecem em debate, particularmente em relação às metas de ressuscitação representadas por variáveis fisiológicas a serem atingidas. A variação de pressão de pulso (VPP) já foi proposta como índice confiável para predição de fluido-responsividade em pacientes sob ventilação mecânica, mas requer avaliação complementar em variadas condições fisiopatológicas. Objetivo: O propósito do presente estudo foi comparar, em um modelo experimental de choque hemorrágico agudo com endotoxemia, uma estratégia de ressuscitação volêmica aguda guiada por VPP e pressão arterial média (PAM) a outra baseada em metas de ressuscitação convencionalmente empregadas envolvendo pressão venosa central (PVC), PAM e saturação venosa mista de oxigênio (SvO2). O modelo experimental foi desenvolvido para esta finalidade e cada variável empregada como meta foi adicionalmente avaliada quanto à capacidade de predição de fluido-responsividade. Métodos: Cinquenta e um porcos foram anestesiados, mecanicamente ventilados e, após preparo, aleatoriamente divididos em seis grupos: controle (Sham, n=8); infusão intravenosa de endotoxina em doses decrescentes (LPS, n=8); choque hemorrágico obtido por meio da retirada de 50% da volemia estimada em 20 minutos (Hemo, n=8); choque hemorrágico com endotoxemia conforme protocolos dos grupos LPS e Hemo (Hemo+LPS, n=9); choque hemorrágico com endotoxemia e, após 60 minutos, ressuscitação com cristalóides para atingir metas: PVC 12-15 mmHg, PAM ≥ 65 mmHg e SvO2 ≥ 65% (Conv, n=9); choque hemorrágico com endotoxemia e, após 60 minutos, ressuscitação com cristalóides para atingir as metas VPP ≤ 13% e PAM ≥ 65 mmHg (dPP, n=9). Tratamentos foram realizados por três horas. Além da avaliação hemodinâmica incluindo termodiluição e ecocardiografia transesofágica, foram realizadas gasometria arterial com mensuração de eletrólitos e lactato, gasometria venosa mista e tonometria intestinal. Ventilação regional foi avaliada por tomografia por impedância elétrica. Mensuração de citocinas séricas e exames histopatológicos pulmonares também foram efetuados. Resultados: Todos os animais dos quatro grupos que receberam a endotoxina desenvolveram hipertensão pulmonar e lesão pulmonar aguda ao longo do experimento. O grupo Hemo+LPS apresentou alta mortalidade (56%), com alterações hemodinâmicas mais acentuadas do que as observadas nos grupos Hemo e LPS. Os grupos Conv e dPP apresentaram o mesmo grau de comprometimento hemodinâmico observado inicialmente no grupo Hemo+LPS, mas houve rápida recuperação em reposta ao tratamento e todos sobreviveram. Entre os grupos tratados não houve diferenças significantes em relação ao volume de cristalóides administrado (volume total, P=0,066) ou ao débito urinário, mas a PVC no grupo Conv foi significantemente superior à dos grupos dPP (P=0,031) e Sham (P=0,048) ao final do protocolo. Entre as variáveis utilizadas como metas, áreas sob as curvas de características operacionais para predição de fluido-responsividade foram maiores para PVC (0,77; IC95%, 0,68-0,86) e VPP (0,74; IC95%, 0,65-0,83), sendo ambas estas variáveis selecionadas por regressão logística múltipla como variáveis independentes para predição de não-responsividade ao desafio volêmico (PVC: P=0,001, razão de chances, 1,7; IC95%, 1,25-2,32 e VPP: P=0,01, razão de chances, 0,91; IC95%, 0,84-0,98). O melhor valor de corte para VPP para maximização de sua função preditiva foi 15%, com sensibilidade 0,75 (IC95%, 0,63-0,85) e especificidade 0,64 (IC95% 0,49-0,77%). Resultados falso-positivos para VPP foram observados em condições de pressão arterial pulmonar média ≥ 27 mmHg e gradiente transpulmonar ≥ 14 mmHg, acompanhados de índice de resistência vascular pulmonar médio > 3 unidades Wood. Resultados falso-negativos também foram constatados. Conclusões: O presente modelo experimental de choque hemorrágico agudo com endotoxemia produziu intenso comprometimento hemodinâmico, hipertensão pulmonar, lesão pulmonar aguda e, na ausência de tratamento, alta mortalidade. Nestas condições, a ressuscitação aguda com cristalóides guiada por VPP e PAM não produziu resultados inferiores à estratégia guiada por metas de ressuscitação convencionalmente estabelecidas, com base em PVC, PAM e SvO2. A principal diferença em desfecho entre as estratégias de ressuscitação foi indução de uma PVC significantemente maior no segundo grupo, ao final do protocolo. Apesar de seus desempenhos individuais terem sido considerados limitados em relação à predição de fluido-responsividade, PVC e VPP foram preditoras independentes de não-responsividade ao desafio volêmico, de modo que sua aplicação em conjunto deva ser investigada. VPP é proposta como uma variável adicional para auxiliar no monitoramento de pacientes, sendo o conhecimento de suas limitações indispensável. / Introduction: Fluid therapy is first-line treatment for patients in hemorrhagic or septic shock for the restoration of circulating volume and tissue perfusion, but several issues remain under debate, particularly regarding resuscitation goals represented by physiological variables to be achieved. Pulse pressure variation (PPV) has been proposed as a reliable index for the prediction of fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients, but further evaluation for its use in diverse conditions is required. Objective: To compare acute fluid resuscitation guided by PPV and mean arterial pressure (MAP) to another strategy consisting of conventionally-established goals, based on central venous pressure (CVP), MAP and mixed-venous oxygen saturation (SvO2), during experimental acute hemorrhagic shock with endotoxemia. An experimental model was developed to this end and each variable used as resuscitation goal was evaluated additionally for its ability to predict fluid-responsiveness. Methods: Fifty-one pigs were anesthetized, mechanically ventilated and, after preparation, randomized into six groups: control (Sham, n=8); intravenous infusion of endotoxin in decreasing doses (LPS, n=8); hemorrhagic shock of 50% the estimated blood volume in 20 minutes (Hemo, n=8); hemorrhagic shock with endotoxemia in accordance with protocols in groups LPS and Hemo (Hemo+LPS, n=9); hemorrhagic shock with endotoxemia followed by resuscitation with crystalloids, after 60 minutes, to achieve and maintain CVP 12-15 mmHg, MAP ≥ 65 mmHg and SvO2 ≥ 65% (Conv, n=9); hemorrhagic shock with endotoxemia followed by resuscitation with crystalloids, after 60 minutes, to achieve and maintain PPV ≤ 13% and MAP ≥ 65 mmHg (dPP, n=9). Treatments lasted for three hours. In addition to hemodynamic assessment including thermodilution and transesophageal echocardiography, arterial blood-gases with measurement of electrolytes and lactate, mixed-venous blood-gases and intestinal tonometry were performed. Regional ventilation was evaluated by electrical impedance tomography. Lung histopathology and measurement of serum cytokines were performed as well. Results: All animals from the four groups submitted to endotoxemia developed pulmonary hypertension and acute lung injury over the experimental period. Group Hemo+LPS presented with a high mortality rate (56%) and hemodynamic impairment which was more intense than that observed in groups Hemo or LPS. Groups Conv and dPP developed the same degree of hemodynamic compromise observed in group Hemo+LPS initially, but there was quick recovery in response to treatment and all pigs survived. Between treated groups there were no significant differences in amounts of crystalloids infused (total volume, P=0.066) or in urinary output, but CVP in group Conv was significantly higher than in groups dPP (P=0.031) and Sham (P=0.048) at the end of the study period. Among variables used as goals, areas under the receiver-operator characteristic curves regarding prediction of fluid-responsiveness were larger for CVP (0.77; 95%CI, 0.68-0.86) and PPV (0.74; 95%CI, 0.65-0.83), and both these variables were selected by multiple logistic regression as independent predictors of non-responsiveness to fluid challenge (CVP: P=0.001, odds ratio, 1.7; 95%CI, 1.25-2.32 and PPV: P=0.010, odds ratio, 0.91; 95%CI, 0.84-0.98). Best cutoff value to maximize the predictive function of PPV was 15%, with sensitivity 0.75 (95%CI, 0.63-0.85) and specificity 0.64 (95%CI 0.49-0.77). False positive results for PPV were observed at mean arterial pressure ≥ 27 mmHg and transpulmonary gradient ≥ 14 mmHg, with mean pulmonary vascular resistance index > 3 Wood units. False negative results were also detected. Conclusions: This model of acute hemorrhagic shock with endotoxemia produced severe hemodynamic compromise, pulmonary hypertension, acute lung injury and, in the absence of treatment, a high mortality rate. In this setting, acute resuscitation with crystalloids guided by PPV and MAP was not inferior to the strategy guided by conventionally-established goals, based on CVP, MAP and SvO2. The main difference in outcome between resuscitation strategies was the induction of a significantly higher CVP in the second group, at the end of protocol. Although their individual performances were considered limited for the prediction of fluid-responsiveness, CVP and PPV were independent predictors of non-responsiveness to fluid challenge, so that their combined use should be investigated further. PPV is proposed as an additional variable to aid in patient monitoring, but awareness of its limitations is indispensable.

Au cours du vieillissement, la rigidification des artères élastiques entraine une augmentation de l'amplitude de la pression pulsée centrale, qui se propage dans la microcirculation cérébrale. De façon chronique, l’élévation anormale de la pression pulsée endommage les fonctions vasculaires et cérébrales, pouvant être impliquée dans le développement d’une déficience cognitive d’origine vasculaire. Ceci est supporté par l’observation d’anomalies cérébrovasculaires chez les individus atteints de démence vasculaire et de la maladie d’Alzheimer. De plus, les individus exposés aux facteurs de risque vasculaires (hypertension, obésité, diabète, athérosclérose), démontrent une vascularisation fragilisée, une augmentation de la pression pulsée centrale et présentent un déclin cognitif. Il est donc probable qu’en association avec l’âge, les facteurs de risque vasculaires favorisent de façon mécanistique la propagation de la pression pulsée dans la circulation cérébrale et révèlent de façon prématurée le déclin cognitif. Le lien mécanistique entre l’augmentation de la pression pulsée cérébrale, les facteurs de risque vasculaires, les dommages cérébrovasculaires et l’incidence de la démence reste à être plus clairement investigué. La présente thèse vise ainsi à étudier l’hypothèse biomécanique du rôle délétère de la pression pulsée dans la détérioration des fonctions cérébrovasculaires et cognitives, avec l’âge et en association avec les facteurs de risque vasculaires, en élucidant la cascade des événements pathologiques depuis l’élévation de la pression pulsée centrale jusqu’à l’incidence de la démence. Afin de vérifier notre hypothèse, nous avons entrepris dans une première étude d’étudier chez la souris WT, l’impact de l’augmentation in vivo d’un stress mécanique pulsatile central (par chirurgie TAC) sur la vasculature cérébrale, le tissu cérébral et les fonctions cognitives. Ce stress a été induit en parallèle dans le modèle de souris transgénique APP/PS1 de la maladie d’Alzheimer. Nous avons pu démontrer que les vaisseaux cérébraux des souris WT et APP/PS1 sont vulnérables au stress mécanique de la pression pulsée, caractérisé par une diminution de la réponse vasodilatatrice des artères piales, une raréfaction des capillaires due à une apoptose, l’incidence de micro-hémorragies, une rupture de la barrière hémato-encéphalique et une hypoperfusion cérébrale. Ces dommages cumulatifs à la microcirculation cérébrale sont associés à une inflammation cérébrale et à une diminution des performances d’apprentissage et de mémoire de travail et spatiale des souris. De plus, le phénotype Alzheimer des souris APP/PS1 est exacerbé en présence du stress vasculaire, exprimé par l’augmentation des dépôts béta-amyloïdes, ainsi que la dysfonction endothéliale cérébrale et l’inflammation cérébrale déjà présentes dans ce modèle. Dans une deuxième étude, nous avons caractérisé les fonctions cérébrovasculaires et cognitives des souris transgéniques LDLR-/-;hApoB100+/+ avec l’ajout ou non d’un stress mécanique pulsatile central in vivo (par chirurgie TAC). Ces souris présentent des facteurs de risques des maladies cardiovasculaires (hypertension et dyslipidémie) menant au développement d’athérosclérose et miment un vieillissement artériel central accéléré (rigidité aortique et des carotides, dysfonction endothéliale, augmentation de la pression pulsée). Nous avons démontré que les souris LDLR-/-;hApoB100+/+ exhibent des anomalies cérébrovasculaires structurelles et fonctionnelles, dont une atrophie cérébrale, une dysfonction endothéliale cérébrale, une hypoperfusion cérébrale, une augmentation de la perméabilité de la barrière hémato-encéphalique, des micro-hémorragies corticales, la présence d’inflammation, de sénescence et de stress oxydant au niveau vasculaire et parenchymateux. L’ensemble de ces altérations majoritairement vasculaires, sont associées à une diminution des performances cognitives et sont exacerbées en présence d’un stress vasculaire additif. Nos deux études chez la souris démontrent qu’en présence d’une pression pulsée élevée, les dommages à la microvasculature cérébrale conduisent à une perte fonctionnelle de l’homéostasie cérébrale et à un déclin cognitif, dont l’incidence est accélérée soit dans un modèle de démence ou soit de vieillissement artériel central et en présence de facteurs de risque des maladies cardiovasculaires. Nos études fournissent la démonstration mécanistique d’un continuum entre une augmentation de pression pulsée et un déclin cognitif vasculaire. / With advancing age, the large elastic arteries undergo significant stiffening, resulting in increased central pulse pressure waves that penetrates deeper the cerebral microcirculation and may result in cerebrovascular and neuronal tissue damages, likely contributing to the development of cognitive impairment from vascular injury origin. This is compatible with strong evidence between impaired cerebrovascular structure and function in the brain of patients with vascular dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, elderly individuals are subjected in their lifetime to multiple vascular risk factors (hypertension, obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis), all of which are known to be deleterious to the vascular function, are associated with an increase in central pulse pressure and with cognitive decline. Therefore, it is likely that with age, risk factors for vascular diseases may mechanistically promote the propagation of pulse pressure into the cerebrovascular system and reveal prematurely the brain susceptibility to cognitive decline. The present thesis was conducted to study the biomechanical hypothesis of the deleterious role of the pulse pressure in the deterioration of cerebrovascular and cognitive functions, with age and in association with vascular risk factors, by elucidating the cascade of pathological events linking the increase in central pulse pressure to the expression of dementia. To validate our hypothesis, we first studied in mice the impact of the in vivo increase of central pulsatile mechanical stress (achieved by trans-aortic constriction surgery) on the cerebral vasculature, brain tissue and cognitive functions. This stress was also induced in the APP/PS1 transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. We have shown that cerebral vessels of WT and APP/PS1 mice are vulnerable to the mechanical stress of the increased pulse pressure, which is characterized by a decrease in the vasodilatory response of the pial arteries, a rarefaction of the capillaries due to apoptosis, the incidence of micro-hemorrhages, a rupture of the blood-brain barrier and cerebral hypoperfusion. These cumulative damages to the cerebral microcirculation are associated with brain inflammation and poorer learning and working and spatial memory performances in mice. The Alzheimer's phenotype of APP/PS1 mice was exacerbated in the presence of elevated pulse pressure, as shown by the increase in beta-amyloid deposits, the decreased in endothelial cerebral vasodilatory responses and brain inflammation, which are already present in this model. In a second study, we sought to characterize the cerebrovascular and cognitive functions in the transgenic mouse model LDLR-/-;hApoB100+/+, subjected or not in vivo to a central pulsatile mechanical stress (by trans-aortic constriction surgery). These mice exhibit risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (hypertension and dyslipidemia), develop atherosclerosis and mimic premature central arterial aging (aortic and carotid stiffness, endothelial dysfunction, increased pulse pressure). We reported that LDLR-/-;hApoB100+/+ mice were characterized by structural and functional brain vascular abnormalities, including cerebral hypoperfusion, increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier, endothelial cerebral dysfunction, microhemorrhages, but also cerebral atrophy and the presence of inflammation, senescence and high oxidative stress at the vascular and parenchymal level. In addition, all these alterations, which are mainly vascular, were associated with a decrease in the cognitive performance of mice. Also, these vascular, parenchymal and cognitive changes were exacerbated in the presence of the vascular stress induced by transverse aortic constriction. Altogether, our two studies in mice demonstrated that, in the presence of an increase in pulse pressure, the damages to the micro-cerebrovascular system lead to loss of cerebral homeostasis and to cognitive decline, which are accelerated in a model of dementia or a model of central vascular aging and in presence or vascular risk factors. Our studies highlight the mechanistic demonstration of a continuum between an increase in pulse pressure and vascular cognitive decline.