The effect of low dose intra-articular S(+) ketamine on osteoarthritis in rats: an experimental study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the analgesic impact of S(+)-ketamine on pain behavior and synovial inflammation in an osteoarthritis (OA) model.

METHODS

Animals were grouped as follows: OA-Saline (n = 24) and OA-Ketamine (n = 24), OA induced via intra-articular sodium monoiodoacetate (MIA); a Non-OA group (n = 24) served as the control. On the 7th day post OA induction, animals received either saline or S(+)-ketamine (0.5 mg.kg-1). Behavioral and histopathological assessments were conducted up to day 28.

RESULTS

S(+)-ketamine reduced allodynia from day 7 to 28 and hyperalgesia from day 10 to 28. It notably alleviated weight distribution deficits from day 10 until the end of the study. Significant walking improvement was observed on day 14 in S(+)-ketamine-treated rats. Starting on day 14, OA groups showed grip force decline, which was countered by S(+)-ketamine on day 21. However, S(+)-ketamine did not diminish synovial inflammation.

CONCLUSION

Low Intra-articular (IA) doses of S(+)-ketamine reduced MIA-induced OA pain but did not reverse synovial histopathological changes.

IRB APPROVAL NUMBER

23115 012030/2009-05.

Simultaneous bilateral femoral neck fracture in a patient with renal osteodystrophy

We present a unique case of displaced simultaneous bilateral fractures, Garden 3 type, in a 49 year woman treated with non-cemented total hip arthroplasty. The patient showed a Harris hip score of 86 on the right hip and a 81 on the left side on the fourth postoperative year, besides a bilateral Trendelenburg gait, more pronounced on the right side. She needed a cane to walk, and felt pain in the left thigh. The X-ray showed a shortening of 0.9 cm and a left femoral varus. The other arthroplasty components showed good osseointegration and position.

We found that the use of the uncemented total hip arthroplasty to treat a simultaneous bilateral fracture in renal osteodystrophy patients has satisfactory results at a four year follow-up.

According to the OCEBM Levels of Evidence Working Group, this study is graded as a Level of Evidence IV.

Echocardiographic parameters as cardiovascular event predictors in hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on hemodialysis have high rates of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Although structural and functional echocardiographic alterations in patients undergoing hemodialysis have been the subject of several survival analysis studies, the prognostic value of these alterations is not well established in literature.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prognostic value of echocardiographic parameters in patients with CKD on hemodialysis.

METHODS

Sixty consecutive patients with CKD on hemodialysis were clinically evaluated and underwent Doppler echocardiography, being followed for 19 ± 6 months. The outcome measures were fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events and overall mortality. The predictive value of echocardiographic variables was evaluated by Cox regression model and survival curves were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method and log rank test to compare them.

RESULTS

Rates of survival free of cardiovascular events, of cardiovascular and overall mortality in two years were 79.4%, 88.5% and 83% respectively. Diabetes, previous diagnosis of cardiovascular disease (CVD), ejection fraction, fractional shortening, left ventricular systolic diameter and E/e' ratio were predictors of cardiovascular outcome at univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, previous history of CVD (HR = 6.17, 95%CI: 1.7 - 22.2, p = 0.005) and moderate to severe diastolic dysfunction (HR = 3.76, 95%CI: 1.05 - 13.4, p = 0.042) were independent risk factors for cardiovascular events.

CONCLUSION

Moderate to severe diastolic dysfunction is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events in hemodialysis patients.