Abstract Introduction: It is challenging to diagnose syncope in patients with pacemakers. Because these patients have increased morbidity and mortality risks, they require immediate attention to determine the causes in order to provide appropriate treatment. This study aimed to investigate the causes and predictive factors of syncope as well as the methods used to diagnose syncope in cardiac pacemaker patients. Methods: Patients with pacemakers implanted owing to sinus node disease or atrioventricular block were evaluated with standardized questionnaires, endocavitary electrograms, and other tests based on the suspected causes of syncope. Mann-Whitney U tests were used to analyze continuous variables and Chi-squared or Fisher’s exact tests were used for categorical variables. Logistic regression was used for multivariate analyses. Statistical significance was P<0.05. Results: The study included 95 patients with pacemakers: 47 experienced syncope in the last 12 months and 48 did not. Of the 100 documented episodes of syncope, 48.9% were vasovagal syncopes, 17% had cardiac-related causes, 10.6% had unknown causes, and 8.5% had pacemaker failure. The multivariate analysis showed that a New York Heart Association (NYHA) Functional Class II was a significant factor for developing syncope (P<0.01). Conclusion: While the most common type of syncope in pacemaker patients was neurally mediated, it is important to perform detailed evaluations in this population as the causes of syncope can be life-threatening. The best diagnostic methods were stored electrogram analysis and the tilt table test. NYHA Functional Class II patients were found to have a higher risk for syncope.

The objective was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen fertilization on the establishment of forage peanut (Arachis pintoi cv. Belmonte) propagated vegetatively. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse in a completely randomized design with treatments arranged in a 2 × 4 factorial design - two ages (70 and 85 days after planting) and four nitrogen doses (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg/ha) - with four replications. Morphogenetic and structural characteristics and production were evaluated. The nitrogen accelerated the establishment of the forage peanut with an increase in dry weight of green leaves and stolons. The greatest length of stolons (48.0 cm) was obtained with a dose equivalent to 86 kg N/ha and higher density of stolons (20 stolons/vase) between 78 and 82 kg N/ha. Nitrogen fertilization also reduced the phyllochron from 6.7 to 4.6 days/leaf. These data were more intense at 85 days, suggesting greater photosynthetic contribution during this period related to the large number of leaves after 70 days. Therefore, nitrogen can be an important tool to accelerate the establishment of pure stands of forage peanut.

OBJETIVO: determinar a frequência de macrossomia nos recém-nascidos vivos em um serviço obstétrico de referência e sua associação com fatores de risco maternos. MÉTODOS: foi realizado um estudo descritivo, transversal, incluindo 551 puérperas internadas no Instituto de Saúde Elpídio de Almeida, em Campina Grande (PB), entre agosto e outubro de 2007. Foram incluídas no estudo as mulheres cujos partos foram assistidos na instituição, com recém-nascidos vivos de uma gestação única, abordadas no primeiro dia do período pós-parto. Foram analisadas as características sociodemográficas e nutricionais maternas, determinando-se a frequência de macrossomia (peso ao nascer >4.000 g) e sua associação com as variáveis maternas. A macrossomia foi classificada como assimétrica ou simétrica de acordo com o índice de Rohrer. A análise estatística foi realizada por meio do programa Epi-Info 3.5, calculando-se a razão de prevalência (RP) e o intervalo de confiança a 95% (IC 95%). O protocolo de pesquisa foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa local e todas as participantes do estudo assinaram o termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido. RESULTADOS: a média da idade materna encontrada foi de 24,7 anos e a idade gestacional média foi de 38,6 semanas. Ganho de peso gestacional excessivo foi observado em 21,3% das gestantes, sendo que 2,1% das participantes tinham o diagnóstico de diabetes mellitus (gestacional ou clínico). Encontrou-se uma frequência de 5,4% de recém-nascidos macrossômicos, dos quais 60% eram assimétricos. Não houve associação significativa entre macrossomia, idade materna e paridade. Verificou-se uma associação entre macrossomia e sobrepeso/obesidade pré-gestacional (RP=2,9; IC 95%=1,0-7,8) e na última consulta (RP=4,9; IC 95%=1,9-12,5), ganho ponderal excessivo (RP=6,9; IC 95%=2,8-16,9), diabetes clínico ou gestacional (RP=8,9; IC 95%=4,1-19,4) e hipertensão (RP=2,9; IC 95%=1,1-7,9). Na análise multivariada, os únicos fatores que persistiram significativamente em associação à macrossomia foram o ganho de peso materno excessivo durante a gestação (RR=6,9, IC 95%=2,9-16,9) e a presença de diabetes mellitus (RR=8,9; IC 95%=4,1-19,4). CONCLUSÕES: considerando que ganho de peso gestacional excessivo e diabetes mellitus foram os fatores mais fortemente associados à macrossomia, é importante que medidas para detecção precoce e acompanhamento adequado dessas condições sejam tomadas, visando à prevenção de eventos perinatais desfavoráveis.

OBJECTIVE: to determine the frequency of macrosomia in babies born alive at a reference obstetric service, and its association with maternal risk factors. METHODS: a transversal descriptive study, including 551 women at puerperium, hospitalized at Instituto de Saúde Elpídio de Almeida, in Campina Grande (PB), Brazil, from August to October, 2007. Women, whose deliveries had been assisted at the institution, with babies born alive from one single gestation and approached in the first postpartum day, were included in the study. The nutritional and sociodemographic maternal characteristics were analyzed, and the ratio of macrosomia (birth weight >4.000 g) and its association with maternal variables were determined. Macrosomia was classified as symmetric or asymmetric according to Rohrer's index. Statistical analysis has been done through Epi-Info 3.5 software; the prevalence ratio (PR) and the confidence interval at 95% (CI 95%) were calculated. The research protocol was approved by the local Ethics Committee and all the participants signed the informed consent. RESULTS: the mean maternal age was 24.7 years old, and the mean gestational age was 38.6 weeks. Excessive gestational weight gain was observed in 21.3% of the pregnant women, and 2.1% of the participants had a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (gestational or clinic). A ratio of 5.4% of macrosomic newborns was found, 60 were asymmetric. There was no significant association between macrosomia, mother's age and parity. There was an association between macrosomia and overweight/obesity in the pre-gestational period (PR=2.9; CI 95%=1.0-7.8) and at the last medical appointment (PR=4.9; CI 95%=1.9-12.5), excessive weight gain (PR = 6.9; CI 95%:2.8-16.9), clinical or gestational diabetes (PR = 8.9; CI 95%:4.1-19.4) and hypertension (PR=2.9; CI 95%=1.1-7.9). The factors that persisted significantly associated with macrosomia in the multivariate analysis were the excessive weight gain during the gestation (RR=6.9; CI 95%=2.9-16.9) and the presence of diabetes mellitus (RR=8.9, CI 95%=4.1-19.4). CONCLUSIONS: considering that excessive gestational weight gain and diabetes mellitus were the factors more strongly associated with macrosomia, it is important that precocious detection measurements and adequate follow-up of such conditions be taken, aiming at preventing unfavorable perinatal outcomes.