A genetic polymorphism in GCKR may be associated with low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol phenotype among Filipinos: A case-control study

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Background.</strong> Low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) is a well-recognized risk factor in the development of cardiovascular diseases. Associated gene variants for low HDL-c have already been demonstrated in various populations. Such associations have yet to be established among Filipinos who reportedly have a much higher prevalence of low HDL-c levels compared to other races.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Objective.</strong> To determine the association of selected genetic variants and clinical factors with low HDL-c phenotype in Filipinos.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Methods.</strong> An age- and sex-matched case-control study was conducted among adult Filipino participants with serum HDL-c concentration less than 35 mg/dL (n=61) and those with HDL-c levels of more than 40 mg/dL (n=116). Genotyping was done using DNA obtained from blood samples. Candidate variants were correlated with the low HDL-c phenotype using chi-squared test and conditional logistic regression analysis.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Results.</strong> Twelve single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were associated with low HDL-c phenotype among Filipinos with univariate regression analysis. The variant rs1260326 of glucokinase regulator (GCKR) (CT genotype: adjusted OR=5.17; p-value=0.007; TT genotype: adjusted OR=6.28; p-value=0.027) remained associated with low HDL-c phenotype, together with hypertension and elevated body mass index, after multiple regression analysis.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Conclusion.</strong> The variant rs1260326 near GCKR is associated with low HDL-c phenotype among Filipinos. Its role in the expression of low HDL-c phenotype should be further investigated prior to the development of possible clinical applications.</p>

Variants near CETP, MTTP and BUD13-ZPR1-APOA5 may be nominally associated with poor statin response among Filipinos

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Objective.</strong> Several studies showed that genetic factors affect responsiveness to statins among different populations. This study investigated the associations of candidate genetic variants with poor response to statins among Filipinos.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Methods.</strong> In this unmatched case-control study, dyslipidemic participants were grouped into statin responders and poor responders based on the degree of reduction in LDL-c from baseline. DNA from blood samples were genotyped and analyzed. The association of candidate variants with statin response was determined using chi-square and logistic regression analysis.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Results.</strong> We included 162 adults on statins (30 poor responders as cases, 132 good responders as controls). The following variants are nominally associated with poor response to statin among Filipinos at a per-comparison error rate of 0.05: rs173539 near CETP (OR=3.05, p=0.015), rs1800591 in MTTP (OR=3.07, p=0.021), and rs1558861 near the BUD13-ZPR1-APOA5 region (OR=5.08, p=0.004).</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Conclusion.</strong> Genetic variants near CETP, MTTP and the BUD13-ZPR1-APOA5 region are associated with poor response to statins among Filipinos. Further study is recommended to test the external validity of the study in the general Filipino population.</p>

Appropriate use of coronary angiogram among service patients at the UP-Philippine General Hospital in the Year 2019

Rationale@#Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death worldwide and coronary angiography (CA) remains the gold standard for its diagnosis. However, proper patient selection for CA is important to avoid unnecessary risks and expense. The American College of Cardiology (ACC), with other major organizations, developed Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) for CA. AUC assist clinicians in decision making on whether to use the tests according to indications and objectively assess if these tests are appropriately utilized. This is the first study to determine the appropriateness of CA performed and the clinical and angiographic profile among adult service patients in UP-PGH. @*Objectives@#To determine (1) the indications for CA and its appropriateness based on 2012 AUC for Diagnostic Catheterization by the ACC, (2) the clinical profile of patients who underwent CA among adult service patients at UP-PGH and (3) the angiographic profile of these patients. @*Methods@#This cross-sectional study included all CA studies performed on adult service patients from January to December 2019. Demographic and clinical profiles, non-invasive tests, and angiographic findings were collected. The primary outcome determined was the appropriateness of the indications for each CA performed based on AUC scores. Descriptive analysis using frequencies and mean values with standard deviations were used. @*Results@#Among the 515 patients included, majority were males, above 50 years of age, with normal eGFR, presented initially with chest pain, and with a presenting diagnosis of chronic coronary syndrome. Majority of these patients had obstructive CAD (75%), with left anterior descending artery as the most frequently involved vessel. Non-obstructive CAD was found in 11% while normal coronaries were noted in 14% of these patients. Our findings showed that 99.8% of the CA performed were appropriate, of which majority (54%) had an AUC score of A9. STEMI or a suspicion of STEMI, with an A9 score, was the most frequently encountered indication at 33% of the time. @*Conclusion@#Majority (99%) of the CA studies performed in the PGH cardiac catheterization laboratory for the year 2019 were executed based on highly appropriate indications (AUC scores A7 to A9) and followed Class I and II recommendations from guidelines. The allocation of resources is deemed to be well-utilized based on the data generated from this study.

Clinical Profile and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients who Underwent Coronary Revascularization for Left Main Coronary Artery Disease and Left Main Equivalent Coronary Artery Disease in a Tertiary Hospital

@#BACKGROUND: Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for left main (LMCA) coronary artery disease (CAD) was found to be non-inferior and had similar major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). In the local setting, the clinical profile and MACE of patients who underwent either revascularization are, however, unknown. OBJECTIVES: To determine the clinical profile and in-hospital MACE of patients who underwent revascularization (PCI or CABG) for LMCA and left main equivalent CAD. METHODS: This is a prospective descriptive study. Clinical profile and in-hospital, 30-days and 90-days post revascularization MACE were determined. RESULTS: Thirty-seven (37) adults were included. Most were males, diabetics, dyslipidemics, smokers, with previous cardiovascular events and premature CAD. Hypertension was significantly prevalent in the CABG group (PCI=62.50% vs CABG=90.48%, p=0.04). Patients who underwent CABG mostly presented with stable angina (p=0.0453). The majority of the PCI (68.75%) was done as an emergent/urgent procedure, with clear indications for PCI (i.e. STEMI). In-hospital all-cause mortality was significantly higher in the PCI group (PCI=50% vs CABG=0%, p<<0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with LMCA and left main equivalent CAD were mostly males and had traditional CAD risk factors. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher among the PCI group; however, those who underwent PCI were unstable and unlikely to be good surgical candidates for CABG.

Should anticoagulation be used in the treatment of severe COVID-19?

Background@#The progression of COVID-19 to its acute (pneumonia) phase occurs during the 7th to 14th day of illness. During this highly inflammatory phase, a proportion of patients with severe COVID-19 develop a hypercoagulable state associated with poor prognosis. Hence, anticoagulation is seen as a potentially beneficial intervention due to its antithrombotic effect, anti-inflammatory function, and anti-viral properties. @*Objective@#This review aims to determine the efficacy and safety of anticoagulation in severe COVID-19. @*Methods@#A rapid review was done on April 11, 2020 and updated on April 23, 2020. PubMed, MEDLINE, and medRxiv.org were searched. The review included studies on the association between the use of anticoagulants on top of other interventions, and disease progression and/or mortality among adults >18 years old with severe COVID-19 infection, as well as studies on patients with disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) of sepsis investigating bleeding complications with anticoagulant use. Four ongoing registered clinical trials on anticoagulants for COVID-19 were also found. @*Results@#Current evidence shows that the use of low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in COVID-19 is associated with the following: (1) improved surrogate markers for disease progression (increase in lymphocyte & platelet counts and decrease in D-dimer, fibrinogen degradation products, and IL-6); and (2) reduced 28-day mortality in high risk patients. Studies on DIC related to bacterial sepsis did not show significant increase in bleeding complications with anticoagulation. @*Conclusion@#The use of anticoagulants appears to be beneficial for severe COVID-19 due to a reduction in 28-day mortality and improvement in inflammatory and coagulation markers. However, these findings come from low-quality studies, and confirmation of the effect is needed through randomized controlled trials.

Association between family dynamics and the length of screen time of preschool children in Quezon City: A cross-sectional study / The Health Sciences Journal

INTRODUCTION@#Excessive screen time has been found to be detrimental to a child’s development. Despite its prevalence, there is a dearth of studies relating family dynamics and screen time. This study aimed to determine the association between family dynamics and the length of screen time among preschool children.@*METHODS@#Participants were selected through convenience sampling and interviewed using the Family APGAR questionnaire. Families were classified as functional or dysfunctional. The adult respondents estimated the total screen time and this was classified as low-level or excessive. The association between screen time and APGAR classification was determined using prevalence rate ratio.@*RESULTS@#Majority of 115 families had an APGAR classification of highly functional, with the children having an average screen time of five hours. Children from dysfunctional families were 1.23 times more likely to have an excessive amount of screen time than those with highly functional families and the difference was significant (p = 0.041).@*CONCLUSION@#Majority of the families in this study were highly functional and the average screen time of the children included in the study was five hours. Children from dysfunctional families were 1.23 times more likely to have an excessive amount of screen time than those with highly functional families.

Peritoneal spaces: measurements of peritoneal surfaces / Espacios peritoneales: mediciones de las superficies peritoneales

In this work the quantitative data of the surfaces that limit the sub-spaces that constitute the peritoneal space are shown. The methodology of measurement of the two sheets (parietal and visceral) of the peritoneal serosa applied in our previous paper (Albanese et al., 2009), in non-eviscerated corpses, allowed us to know for the first time, the surface or total extension of the peritoneum "in situ". This methodology was useful to determine the surface or area of the two sheets of the peritoneum, which limit the peritoneal space. Our objective in this study was to determine the total peritoneal areas (visceral + parietal) in human corpses that are not eviscerated, which limit the different sub-spaces that make up the peritoneal space. Ten female cadavers fixed in 5 % formaldehyde solution were used. Small cellophane films were placed directly on the peritoneal sheets. The digital images were obtained by scanning these models. The surface was determined by the "Scion image for Windows" program. The results were expressed as mean +/- SE. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used for the statistical study. The results obtained showed that the peritoneal sub-space of greater surface area was retro-omental (mean +/- SE 7767.81 +/- 646.70 cm2 p <0.01 ANOVA), due to the large extension of its visceral surface ( mean +/- SE 7401.82 +/- 640.99 cm2). More than 50 % of the surface of the entire peritoneum corresponds to said sub-space. The smallest peritoneal sub-space (3 % of the total peritoneal surface) was the pelvic sub-space (mean +/- SE 431.30 +/- 41.62 cm2). We believe that this information may be useful in case of peritoneal pathological processes or those affected by prolonged peritoneal dialysis, and that knowledge of the surface and extension of the peritoneal space involved may contribute to the estimation of the peritoneal surface involved and help to plan the treatment.

En este trabajo se muestran los datos cuantitativos de las superficies que limitan el espacio peritoneal y los sub-espacios que lo componen. La metodología de medición de las dos hojas (parietal y visceral) de la serosa peritoneal empleada en cadáveres no eviscerados, permitió conocer por primera vez, la superficie o extensión total del peritoneo in situ. El objetivo en este trabajo fue determinar -en cadáveres humanos no evisceradoslas áreas peritoneales totales (visceral + parietal) que limitan los distintos sub-espacios que conforman el espacio peritoneal. Se han utilizado diez cadáveres femeninos no eviscerados fijados en solución de formaldehido al 5 %. Pequeñas películas de celofán se colocaron directamente sobre las hojas peritoneales. La obtención de imágenes digitales se realizó escaneando estos modelos. La superficie fue determinada por el programa "Scion image for Windows". Los resultados se expresaron como media +/- SE. Para el estudio estadístico se utilizó el análisis de varianza (ANOVA). Los resultados obtenidos demostraron que el sub-espacio peritoneal de mayor superficie fue el retro-omental (media +/- SE 7767,81 +/ - 646,70 cm2 p<0.01 ANOVA), debido a la gran extensión de su superficie visceral (media +/- SE 7401,82 +/- 640,99 cm2). Más del 50 % de la superficie de todo el peritoneo corresponde a dicho sub-espacio. El sub-espacio peritoneal más pequeño (3 % de la superficie peritoneal total) fue el sub-espacio pélvico (media +/SE 431,30 +/- 41,62 cm2). Esta información podrá ser de utilidad en el caso de procesos patológicos peritoneales o áreas afectadas por diálisis peritoneal prolongada. De esta manera el conocimiento de la extensión del espacio peritoneal involucrado, puede contribuir a la estimación de la magnitud y gravedad de la superficie peritoneal comprometida. Además puede ayudar a planificar el tratamiento.

Comparación del perfil inmunológico en pacientes pediátricos con lupus eritematoso sistémico en ausencia y presencia de nefritis / Comparison of the immune profile in pediatric patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in the absence and presence of nephritis

Introducción: El lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES) es una enfermedad autoinmune de ini-cio frecuente en la segunda década de la vida. Entre el 20 y el 75% de los niños con LES de-sarrollan nefritis lúpica (NL) (1). Estudios previos muestran variabilidad en la positividad de autoanticuerpos en pacientes con LES con y sin NL. Objetivo: Comparar el perfil inmuno-lógico en LES pediátrico con y sin NL. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de casos y controles. Recolección de datos con formato único en una consulta de reumatología pediátrica en Cali entre 2012 y 2017. El análisis de los datos se realizó en SPSS 20.

Prognostic impact of coronary collaterals in acute coronary syndrome (PICC-ACS): A meta-analysis of observational studies

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>INTRODUCTION:</strong> The coronary collateral circulation (CCC) is an alternative source of blood supply in coronary artery disease (CAD). The prognostic value of the presence of CCC at the time of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is undefined with regards to hard outcomes, particularly reduction in mortality. The study's aim is to determine if the presence of CCC demonstrated by coronary angiography during an ACS is associated with a reduction in mortality. </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>METHODS:</strong> We conducted a systematic search of studies using MEDLINE, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases in all languages and examined reference lists of studies. The inclusion criteria were 1) observational; 2) population included adults >19 years old with an acute coronary syndrome; 3) reported data on mortality in association with the presence or absence of CCC on angiography; and 4) should have controlled for confounders by using logistic regression analysis. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale for observational studies. The outcome of interest was reduction in all-cause mortality, assessed using Mantel-Haenzel analysis of random effects to compute for risk ratios.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>RESULTS:</strong> Pooled analysis from 11 identified trials with 8,370 subjects showed that among patients with ACS who underwent coronary angiography, the presence of CCC showed a trend towards benefit in terms of mortality, but was not statistically different from those without CCC [RR 0.65, (95% CI 0.38 to 1.12), p<0.0001, I2=74%]. In those ACS patients with CCC treated with PCI, a significant reduction in mortality was found [RR 0.43, (95% CI 0.29 to 0.64), p< 0.0001, I2=0%].</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> The presence of CCC during ACS showed a trend towards mortality reduction. Further, among patients treated with PCI, those with CCC had an incrementally significant reduction in mortality compared to those without CCC.</p>

Four-year clinical outcomes of Filipino patients with or at risk for atherothrombotic events from the REACH registry

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>INTRODUCTION: </strong>Patients with established atherothrombotic disease (EAD) or those with only atherothrombotic risk factors are at high risk for cardiovascular events and death. There are scant data on the clinical profile of stable Filipino patients with or at risk for atherothrombosis and their long-term outcomes. The authors'objective is to present the baseline clinical profile and four-year cardiovascular outcomes in Filipino outpatients with EAD and those with multiple atherothrombotic risk factors in comparison to the Asian and Global populations</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>METHODS:</strong> The Reduction of Atherothrombosis for Continued Health (REACH) registry is an international, prospective cohort of 68,236 patients aged at least 45 years old with either EAD or at least three atherothrombotic risk factors enrolled from 44 countries in 2003-2004. The Philippine cohort consists of 1040 outpatients with EAD (N=913) or at least three atherothrombotic risk factors (N=127) consecutively enrolled and followed up for at least one to four years for the occurrence of cardiovascular death (CVD), myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>RESULTS:</strong> Nine hundred fifty-five Filipino outpatients (96)% completed the four-year follow-up. Mean age is 65.5 years with similar sex distribution. Common risk factors included diabetes (46%), hypertension (87.4%), hypercholesterolemia (62.9%), and smoking history (29.7%). Ninety-two percent had EAD-- 43% with coronary artery disease, 45% with cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and four percent with peripheral artery disease (PAD). The combined primary endpoint of CVD/MI/stroke was 14.7%, but higher (19.8%) among those with polyvascular disease. Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) patients had the highest CVD/MI/stroke rates (17.6%); PAD patients had the highest CVD/MI/stroke and hospitalization rate (33.2%). Baseline medication usage is 81.1% for antiplatelet agents, 62.6% for statins and 69% for angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker but four-year follow-up medication usage rates were lower.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Filipino outpatients with or at risk for atherothrombosis experienced high long-term rates of CV events. This is the first report of long-term cardiovascular outcomes of stable Filipino outpatients with this high-risk profile.</p>

Association of the platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) with outcomes in patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome: The PLACS study

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>INTRODUCTION: </strong>Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) exhibit a wide spectrum of early risk of death (one to 10 percent). High platelet counts may indicate a propensity for platelet-rich thrombi. Lymphocyte counts drop during ACS due to stress-induced cortisol release. Combining these two markers, recent studies have found that the platelet-tolymphocyte ratio (PLR) is associated with adverse cardiac events among patients with ACS, but local data is limited. The objective of this study is to determine if an elevated PLR taken on admission is associated with higher rates of adverse cardiac events.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>METHODS:</strong> A retrospective cohort of adult patients with ACS admitted at the UP-Philippine General Hospital was analyzed. Leukocyte and platelet counts were measured by an automated hematology analyzer. The PLR values of these patients were computed, and they were stratified into two groups after determining the optimal cut-off from the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) curve. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included development of heart failure, cardiogenic shock, reinfarction, and significant arrhythmias.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>RESULTS:</strong> A total of 174 Filipinos with ACS were included. In-hospital mortality occurred in 30 patients (17%). These patients had a higher PLR compared to those who were discharged alive (p-value <0.0001). The optimal cutoff value of PLR to predict in-hospital mortality is 165, with a sensitivity of 77% and specificity of 70% (area under the ROC curve of 0.766). On multiple logistic regression analysis, a high PLR was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (RR 8.52; p 0.003) after controlling for the effect of other variables. The development of the predetermined secondary outcomes did not correlate with PLR on multivariate analysis.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Among Filipino patients with ACS, an elevated PLR taken within 24 hours of admission is a useful marker to predict in-hospital mortality, thus providing vital information for risk stratification and more aggressive management strategies.</p>

Association of the platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) with outcomes in patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome: The PLACS study

INTRODUCTION: Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) exhibit a wide spectrum of early risk of death (one to 10 percent). High platelet counts may indicate a propensity for platelet-rich thrombi. Lymphocyte counts drop during ACS due to stress-induced cortisol release. Combining these two markers, recent studies have found that the platelet-tolymphocyte ratio (PLR) is associated with adverse cardiac events among patients with ACS, but local data is limited. The objective of this study is to determine if an elevated PLR taken on admission is associated with higher rates of adverse cardiac events.METHODS: A retrospective cohort of adult patients with ACS admitted at the UP-Philippine General Hospital was analyzed. Leukocyte and platelet counts were measured by an automated hematology analyzer. The PLR values of these patients were computed, and they were stratified into two groups after determining the optimal cut-off from the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) curve. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included development of heart failure, cardiogenic shock, reinfarction, and significant arrhythmias.RESULTS: A total of 174 Filipinos with ACS were included. In-hospital mortality occurred in 30 patients (17%). These patients had a higher PLR compared to those who were discharged alive (p-value CONCLUSION: Among Filipino patients with ACS, an elevated PLR taken within 24 hours of admission is a useful marker to predict in-hospital mortality, thus providing vital information for risk stratification and more aggressive management strategies.

Prognostic impact of coronary collaterals in acute coronary syndrome (PICC-ACS): A meta-analysis of observational studies

INTRODUCTION: The coronary collateral circulation (CCC) is an alternative source of blood supply in coronary artery disease (CAD). The prognostic value of the presence of CCC at the time of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is undefined with regards to hard outcomes, particularly reduction in mortality. The study's aim is to determine if the presence of CCC demonstrated by coronary angiography during an ACS is associated with a reduction in mortality.  METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of studies using MEDLINE, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases in all languages and examined reference lists of studies. The inclusion criteria were 1) observational; 2) population included adults >19 years old with an acute coronary syndrome; 3) reported data on mortality in association with the presence or absence of CCC on angiography; and 4) should have controlled for confounders by using logistic regression analysis. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale for observational studies. The outcome of interest was reduction in all-cause mortality, assessed using Mantel-Haenzel analysis of random effects to compute for risk ratios. RESULTS: Pooled analysis from 11 identified trials with 8,370 subjects showed that among patients with ACS who underwent coronary angiography, the presence of CCC showed a trend towards benefit in terms of mortality, but was not statistically different from those without CCC [RR 0.65, (95% CI 0.38 to 1.12), p CONCLUSION: The presence of CCC during ACS showed a trend towards mortality reduction. Further, among patients treated with PCI, those with CCC had an incrementally significant reduction in mortality compared to those without CCC.

Association of the platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) with outcomes in patients admitted for acute coronary syndrome: The PLACS study

INTRODUCTION: Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) exhibit a wide spectrum of early risk of death (one to 10 percent). High platelet counts may indicate a propensity for platelet-rich thrombi. Lymphocyte counts drop during ACS due to stress-induced cortisol release. Combining these two markers, recent studies have found that the platelet-tolymphocyte ratio (PLR) is associated with adverse cardiac events among patients with ACS, but local data is limited. The objective of this study is to determine if an elevated PLR taken on admission is associated with higher rates of adverse cardiac events. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of adult patients with ACS admitted at the UP-Philippine General Hospital was analyzed. Leukocyte and platelet counts were measured by an automated hematology analyzer. The PLR values of these patients were computed, and they were stratified into two groups after determining the optimal cut-off from the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) curve. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included development of heart failure, cardiogenic shock, reinfarction, and significant arrhythmias. RESULTS: A total of 174 Filipinos with ACS were included. In-hospital mortality occurred in 30 patients (17%). These patients had a higher PLR compared to those who were discharged alive (p-value CONCLUSION: Among Filipino patients with ACS, an elevated PLR taken within 24 hours of admission is a useful marker to predict in-hospital mortality, thus providing vital information for risk stratification and more aggressive management strategies.

A rare case of an intracardiac hemangioma causing significant right ventricular outflow tract obstruction

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac hemangiomas are rare benign primary tumors.We present the successful management of a patient with a hemangioma causing significant right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) obstruction.CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 54-year-old  female  with  no  co-morbidities  presented  with  progressive  right-sided  heart failure  symptoms.Examination  revealed  a  prominent right  ventricular  heave,  irregular  cardiac  rhythm,murmurs  consistent  with  pulmonic  stenosis  and  tricuspid regurgitation,  ascites,  and  bipedal  edema.  Given the echo features of the mass and the patient's clinical course,we  favored  a  benign  cardiac  tumor  over  malignancy.Differentials included  myxoma,  fibroma,  and  papillary fibroelastoma. Medical management included enoxaparin and carvedilol as anticoagulation and rate control for the atrial flutter, respectively. Surgical treatment consisted of tumor excision and tricuspid valve annuloplasty.RESULTS: Intra-operatively, the stalk was indeed attached to the RV free wall. Histopathology was consistent with primary cardiac hemangioma. The patient's post-operative course was complicated by pneumonia, acute kidney injury, and tracheostomy, but she was eventually discharged improved after a month in the ICU.SIGNIFICANCE: This report highlights a rare primary cardiac tumor in an unusual location. While there have been several reports in the world literature on cardiac hemangiomas, less than ten cases have been shown to have significant RVOT obstruction as in our patient.CONCLUSION: Cardiac hemangiomas should be part of the differential diagnosis for an intracardiac mass in the right ventricle.  Meticulous  echocardiography  can  be  a  non-invasive and inexpensive aid to diagnosis and pre-operative planning.

Conocimientos, medios de información y prácticas de fotoprotección en pacientes con vitiligo del Centro de Histoterapia Placentaria / Knowledge, means of information and photoprotection practices in patients with vitiligo of Placental Histotherapy Center

Introducción: las radiaciones solares son un factor importante en la salud humana, aunque exponerse a ellas de manera inadecuada sin protección, causan el envejecimiento cutáneo, la aparición de enfermedades fotoinducidas y el cáncer de piel. Objetivo: evaluar el nivel de conocimientos, medios de información y prácticas de foto-protección, en pacientes con historia clínica de vitiligo en el Centro de Histoterapia Placentaria. Materiales y Métodos: estudio de intervención, a través de una encuesta aplicada a 107 pacientes cubanos en el período 2013-2014. En el cuestionario se exploraron variables socio-demográficas y aspectos generales de conocimiento, sobre los daños producidos por la exposición a la radiación solar, factores de riesgo para la aparición de cáncer cutáneo, medios de información y prácticas de foto-protección. Para el procesamiento de los datos se utilizó el paquete estadístico SPSS versión 20.0. Se realizó una charla educativa y la entrega de un volante informativo. Se consideró un nivel de conocimiento adecuado, al responder correctamente el 75% del cuestionario. Resultados: el nivel de conocimientos fue no satisfactorio en el 51,4% de los encuestados. La principal fuente de información fueron los medios audiovisuales y el dermatólogo. Las medidas de foto-protección más utilizadas fueron: el uso del protector solar, la búsqueda de sitios con sombra, la utilización de sombrillas y el empleo de sombreros de ala ancha, gorras o visera larga. El nivel de conocimiento se asoció significativamente, con la utilización del protector solar (p=0.006) y en el grupo de pacientes menores de 20 años (p=0.03). Conclusiones: la evaluación del conocimiento fue no satisfactoria en más del 50% de los encuestados, además de desarrollar prácticas inadecuadas de fotoprotección. Los medios de información deben ser eficientemente aprovechados, como estrategias de prevención en este tipo de pacientes.

Introduction: solar radiations are an important factor in the human health. However, to be exposed them in an inadequate way without protection provoques the cutaneous aging, the appearance of photo induced illnesses and at least one skin cancer. Objective: to evaluate the level of knowledge, means of information and photo-protection practices in patients with clinical history of vitiligo in the Placental Histotherapy Center. Materials and Methods: it was an intervention study through a questionnaire applied 107 cubans patients, during the period 2013-2014. In the questionnaire partner-demographic variables and general aspects of knowledge were explored on the damages taken place by the exhibition to the solar radiation, factors of risk for the appearance of skin cancer, means of information and photo-protection practices. In the processing of data was used the Statistical Package for the Social Science SPSS (version 20.0). Health promotion activities were developed and informative sheets were distributed. We consider that the satisfactory level of knowledge when the patient response the 75% of the questionnaire correctly. Results: the level of knowledge was not satisfactory in 51,4% of those patients. The main source of information was the audiovisual means and the dermatologist. The most used actions were: the use of sunscreen, the search of places with shade, the use of umbrellas and wide wing hats, caps or long visor. The level of knowledge was significantly associated with the sunscreen use (p=0.006), and the group of patient smaller than 20 years old (p=0.03). Conclusions: the evaluation of the knowledge was not satisfactory in more than 50% of those patients. They carried out inadequate photo-protection practices. The means of information should be efficiently used as strategies of prevention in patients with vitiligo.

Cardiac tamponade as a rare manifestation of systemic lupus erythematosus: A report on four cases in the Philippine General Hospital

SYNOPSIS: Cardiac tamponade among systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients is an unusual event. The pericardial effusion may be a consequence of uremia, infections in the pericardium, or the lupus pericarditis itself. We present four atypical cases of cardiac tamponade from pericarditis of connective tissue disease (CTD), all of which were treated with drainage and immunosuppressants. Due to the rarity of this combination, management was a challenge.CLINICAL PRESENTATION: Four females each sought consult for dyspnea associated with typical manifestations of connective tissue disease such as arthritis, characteristic rashes, serositis, typical laboratory features, and a positive ANA and/or anti-dsDNA. The first three cases fulfilled the criteria for SLE, while the fourth fulfilled the criteria for SLE-dermatomyositis overlap syndrome. Echocardiography was done due to suspicion of pericardial involvement and revealed massive pericardial effusion in tamponade physiology in all cases.DIAGNOSIS: Cardiac tamponade from serositis due to connective tissue disease [SLE (case 1 to 3) or SLE-dermatomyositis overlap (case 4). Other common etiologies of tamponade such as bacterial, tuberculous, malignant, and uremic pericardial effusion were ruled out by clinical and laboratory tools, including Gram stain and culture, cytology, PCR, and biochemical testing. The pericardial fluid of the first case tested positive for lupus erythematosus (LE) cells, indicative of lupus serositis.TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: All patients underwent pericardial drainage via tube pericardiostomy. They received high dose glucocorticoids after infectious etiologies for the pericardial effusion were ruled out. The fourth case with the overlap syndrome, however, required more immunosuppressants using azathioprine and methotrexate. Resolution of pericardial effusion was noted with this approach. Three of four were discharged improved, however, the third case suffered from worsening nephritis and pulmonary hemorrhage leading to her demise.SIGNIFICANCE AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Four cases of cardiac tamponade as a manifestation of connective tissue disease were presented. Literature underlines the rarity of this condition anytime during the course of SLE. Despite this, SLE should be considered as one of the differential diagnosis of cardiac tamponade, especially in patients who manifest with multi-systemic findings. Likewise, massive pericardial effusion should be considered in patients with a connective tissue disease presenting with subtle evidence of pericardial involvement. It requires timely identification and treatment with high dose steroids, after other causes such as infections have been excluded. Immediate drainage through pericardiocentesis or pericardiostomy in combination with immunosuppressants may be life-saving.

Variaciones longitudinales con el avance de la edad en imágenes parasagitales de resonancia magnética del lóbulo prefrontal / Longitudinal variations in aging plotted in parasagittal magnetic resonance images of the prefrontal lobe

La bibliografía muestra disminución del volumen cerebral con el avance de la edad. Las variaciones en el lóbulo prefrontal son particularmente interesantes por la relación de éste con la personalidad. Objetivo: determinar por rango la edad la longitud de segmentos radiales trazados en imágenes parasagitales de resonancia magnética del lóbulo prefrontal de ambos hemisferios. Se procesaron por el programa Scion Image form Windows imágenes parasagitales de resonancia magnética de 38 casos femeninos de 41 a 84 años sin enfermedades neurológicas o psiquiátricas. Se trazaron y midieron en la región prefrontal de cada hemisferio 7 segmentos que se extendían entre el extremo anterior del cuerpo calloso y el borde del cerebro, formando entre sí ángulos de 30 grados que cubrían toda la superficie de la imagen prefrontal. De dorsal a ventral fueron numerados del 1 a 7. Se determinaron por hemisferio los coeficientes de correlación de Pearson (r) y su significación estadística entre edad (41-84 años) y longitud de cada segmento. En ambos hemisferios los 4 son negativos. Son estadísticamente significativos todos los del hemisferio derecho y los correspondientes a los segmentos 1 y 4 del izquierdo. Conclusión: la longitud de segmentos radiales trazados sobre imágenes del lóbulo prefrontal muestra disminuciones significativas con el avance de la edad. Los efectos más relevantes se observan en el hemisferio derecho.

The literature shows decreased brain volume with advancing age. Variations in the prefrontal lobe are particularly interesting due to their relationship with their functions. The aim of this study is to determine, according to age, the length of radial segments plotted in parasagittal magnetic resonance images of the prefrontal lobe of both hemispheres. Parasagittal magnetic resonance images of 38 female cases aged from 41 to 84 years, without neurological or psychiatric diseases, were processed by the program Scion Image for Windows. Seven segments extending between the anterior end of corpus callosum and the edge of the brain, forming angles of 30 degrees, covering the entire surface of the prefrontal image were drawn and were measured in each hemisphere and numbered 1 to 7 from dorsal to ventral. The Pearson correlation coefficients (r) and their statistical significance between age (41-84 years) and the length of each segment were determined in both hemispheres. All the r showed negative signs. The r corresponding to all the segments of the right hemisphere and to the segments 1 and 4 corresponding to the left hemisphere were statistically significant. Conclusion: the length of radial segments drawn on images of the prefrontal lobe shows significant declines with advancing age. The most significant effects are observed in the right hemisphere.

Ventrículos laterales: valores longitudinales y edad / Lateral ventricle: longitudinal values and age: aing of the brain

La bibliografía muestra que los volúmenes de los ventrículos cerebrales se incrementan con la edad. Valores lineales relacionados podrían detectar las variaciones en un plano del espacio. El objetivo del trabajo es determinar en sujetos femeninos, en función de la edad, posibles variaciones lineales anteroposteriores y ventrodorsales de los ventrículos laterales.

Pesquisa del cáncer anal / Anal cancer screening

En las últimas 2 a 3 décadas la incidencia del cáncer escamoso del ano aumentó un 96 por ciento en hombres y un 39 por ciento en mujeres. Entre los hombres que tienen sexo con hombres la incidencia estimada es de 35/100000 habitantes, cifra comparable con la incidencia del cáncer anal del cuello uterino antes de que se implementara la práctica del Papanicolau (PAP). Este valor se duplica en portadores del virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana. De acuerdo con múltiples asociaciones histopatológicas y epidemiológicas se cree que el cáncer escamoso del ano se comporta de manera similar al cáncer del cuello uterino: comparten una asociación etiológica común con el HPV de alto riesgo, citología e histología similares. Teniendo en cuenta el impacto que el PAP y la colposcopia cervicales tuvieron sobre el cáncer del cuello uterino y la importancia del diagnóstico precoz para el pronóstico del cáncer del ano, algunos autores sugieren realizar pesquisa del cáncer anal anal. Se recomienda en individuos homosexuales de sexo masculino, hombres o mujeres HIV positivos, pacientes transplantados y mujeres con antecedentes de un cáncer anal, cervical. o vulvar. En el presente trabajo se expone una revisión de los trabajos publicados hasta la fecha acerca de la pesquisa del cáncer anal.

Over the last 2-3 decades the incidence of squamous anal cancer increased by 96 per cent in men and 39 per cent in women in the United States. Among men who have sex with men the incidence has been estimated to be 35 cases per 100000 population. comparable to the incidence of' cervical cancer before the screening was implemented. The incidence in HIV-positive individuals is 70/100000. Given the multiple histopathologic and epidemiologic associations, squamous cancer of the anus is thought to behave like cervical cancer: they share a common ctiology, the association with high risk-HPV, similar cytology and histology. Considering the impact that the cervical PAP and colposcopy had on cervical cancel and the impact the early diagnosis of anal cancer have on morbidity and mortality, some practitioners proposed an anal cancer screening program. It is recommended for men who have sex with men, HIV-positive men of women, transplant recipients and women with history of cervical or vulvar cancer. In this paper we review published data about squamous anal cancer screening.