Ventrículo derecho: relación con patología respiratoria y patología del ventrículo izquierdo / Right ventricle: relationship with pulmonary and left ventricular pathology

In a previous article, we reviewed path physiological concepts of right ventricle considering its importance in cardio respiratory diseases and its behavior was compared with left ventricle. Measurement of right ventricular function is complex due to its pre load dependence. Remarkable progress has been developed in methods to measure anatomy and function. Probably a functional definition might include diverse parameters as geometry, hypertrophy, dilatation, contraction, oxygen supply to muscular wall and ejected volume. In the present review, we describe the behavior of right ventricle in different pathologies. In first place, we analyze its behavior in respiratory diseases and afterwards in diseases, which involves pulmonary circulation and left ventricular failure. Our purpose is to stimulate pulmonary physicians and cardiologists in the study of this common entity. A complete description of the diseases, which causes right ventricular failure, goes beyond the limits of this article.

En una publicación previa actualizamos los conceptos fisiopatológicos, que rigen la función del ventrículo derecho (VD), considerando su importancia en enfermedades cardiorespiratorias, y describimos su comportamiento al compararlo con el ventrículo izquierdo (VI). La función del VD es difícil de medir por su alta dependencia de la precarga, sin embargo, ha habido progresos en los métodos para determinar su anatomía y su función. Es probable que la definición de función deba incluir parámetros diversos, como geometría, hipertrofia, dilatación, contracción, aporte de oxígeno a la pared y volumen eyectado. En la presente revisión describiremos el comportamiento del VD frente a diversas patologías. En primer lugar analizaremos su comportamiento frente a patologías respiratorias y luego frente a patologías que comprometen la circulación pulmonar y la Insuficiencia cardíaca congestiva (ICC). Nuestro propósito es estimular a la comunidad médica de Enfermedades Respiratorias y Cardiología a profundizar en esta entidad común. La descripción completa de cada uno de los cuadros que causan falla cardíaca derecha, sobrepasa los límites de este artículo.

Hallazgos cardiacos no coronarios en coronariografía por tomografía computada / Findings in coronary heart not coronariografía by computed tomography

Se presentan los hallazgos intracardíacos en CT de coronarias realizados en Clínica Alemana de Santiago entre noviembre 2003 - agosto 2006. La tomografía computada cardíaca es utilizada para la evaluación de las arterias coronarias, pero también puede ser útil para la evaluación de otras estructuras cardíacas. En estas estructuras podemos encontrar patología asociada como aneurismas auriculares o ventriculares, secuelas de infartos entre otros. Nosotros describimos nuestro protocolo y revisamos los principales hallazgos no coronarios.

We present the retrospective review of incidental intracardiac findings in coronary CTA performed at Clínica Alemana Santiago between november2003 until august 2006. Cardiac CT is frequently used in clinical practice for evaluation coronary arteries, but can be useful for evaluation of other cardiac structures. In these structures we can find associated pathology as auricular and ventricular aneurysms, damage of heart infarcts, among others. We describe our study protocol and review principal findings.

BICAP tumor probe en el tratamiento paliativo de la estenosis esofágicas malignas / BICAP tumor probe in the treatment of malignant sophageal stenosis

Background: BICAP tumor probe is a device that consists in an energy source and olives that deliver bipolar electricity. It can be used for the fulguration of esophageal tumors after endoscopic dilatation. Aim: To report the experience in the treatment of malignant esophageal stenoses using the BICAP tumor probe. Patients and methods: Patients with advanced esophageal tumors in aphagia, that were not candidates for palliative surgery were included in this study. After endoscopic dilatation, the tumor was fulgurated with the BICAP tumor probe. Results: Twenty one patients (nine male, aged 43 to 91 years old) were treated with the device. A mean of 1.3 sessions with BICAP were necessary to obtain tumor permeabilization, which was obtained in all patients. One patient died of pneumonia 15 days after the procedure. All other patients were ingesting liquid or semisolid diets after two months of follow up. Mean survival after the procedure was 3.8 months. Conclusions: Electrical fulguration of esophageal tumors is a valid therapeutic alternative in aphagic patients