Niveles séricos de Apo-AI y Apo-B como indicadores de estenosis de injerto sintético después de bypass arterial en enfermedad arterial periférica / Serum levels of Apo-AI and B as markers of synthetic graft stenosis after bypass for peripheral artery disease

BACKGROUND: Hyperlipidemias are the main risk factors for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Nevertheless, the protein fractions of these lipids such as apolipoprotein B (Apo-B) can lead to arterial obstruction. In this study we investigated levels of apolipoproteins AI and B in patients with chronic occlusive peripheral arterial disease (PAD) of the lower extremities and their association with either patency or stenosis of synthetic grafts. METHODS: This cohort study included 24 patients with chronic occlusive PAD who underwent infrainguinal revascularization with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) synthetic graft. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether or not they were exposed to Apo-B, thus integrating two cohorts: the unexposed group (group 1, normal levels of Apo-B) and the exposed group (group 2, high levels of Apo-B). Variables investigated at 3, 6 and 12 months included arm/ankle index (AAI) and its association with levels of Apo-AI and Apo-B, and levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and fibrinogen. RESULTS: The study was comprised of 67% men and 33% women. Average age was 65.2 +/- 8.4 years. There was a correlation between AAI and high levels of Apo-B (p <0.001). Apo-AI levels were not significantly different between groups. Fibrinogen remained elevated in both groups with no statistical difference. Triglycerides demonstrated a significant difference between groups in basal measurements (p <0.05). Cholesterol remained normal in both groups without statistical difference. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that patients exposed to high levels of Apo-B had synthetic graft failure (obstruction), as demonstrated by AAI <1.

Heparina de bajo peso molecular y embarazo. Tres pacientes con estenosis mitral pura / Low molecular weight heparin in pregnancy. Report of three cases with pure mitral stenosis

Se presentan 3 casos de mujeres portadoras de estenosis mitral pura con área valvular < 1 cm², que por falta de respuesta a tratamiento médico, se sometieron a valvuloplastía mitral percutánea (VMP) con técnica de Inoue antes de la semana 30 del embarazo. Desde su ingreso recibieron heparina de bajo peso molecular (HBPM; Enoxaparina) como profiláctico de formación de trombos intracavitarios y enfermedad embolígena sistémica secundaria, se realizó ecocardiogramas transtorácico y transesofágico (ETT y ETE) para demostrar efecividad del fármaco en evitar formación de trombos, sin causar efectos colaterales en la madre ni teratogénicos en el producto. La dosis utilizada fue de 40 mg. Subcutáneo cada 24 hs. durante 16 semanas en las tres pacientes, se repitió el ETT y ETE durante la VMP y se demostró ausencia de trombos intracavitarios. Ninguna paciente presentó alteraciones en la biometría hemática, ni en los tiempos de coagulación. Se obtuvieron productos sin malformaciones. En conclusión, aunque la serie de pacientes es pequeña, se demostró que la HBPM puede utilizarse como alternativa del uso de anticoagulante oral así como de la heparina convencional, como profiláctico durante el primer trimestre del embarazo sin provocar efectos secundarios indeseables