A Bicentric Propensity Matched Analysis of 158 Patients Comparing Porcine Versus Bovine Stented Bioprosthetic Valves in Pulmonary Position

Background and Objectives@#Pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) is the most common operation in adults with congenital heart disease (CHD). There is controversy regarding the best bioprosthesis. We compare the performance of stented bioprosthetic valves (the Mosaic [Medtronic™] porcine pericardial against Carpentier Perimount Magna Ease [Edwards™] bovine) in pulmonary position in patients with CHD. @*Methods@#Between January 1999 and December 2019, all the PVRs were identified from hospital databases in 2 congenital heart centres in Spain. Valve performance was evaluated using clinical and echocardiographic criteria. Propensity score matching was used to balance the 2 treatment groups. @*Results@#Three hundred nineteen patients were retrospectively identified. After statistical adjustment, 79 propensity-matched pairs were available for comparison Freedom from reintervention for the porcine cohort was 98.3%, 96.1%, and 91.9% at 3, 5, and 10 years and 100%, 98%, and 90.8% for the bovine cohort (p=0.88). Freedom from structural valve degeneration (SVD) for the porcine cohort was 96.9%, 92.8% and 88.7% at 3, 5, and 10 years and 100%, 98%, and 79.1% for the bovine cohort (p=0.38). Bovine prosthesis was associated with a reintervention hazard ratio (HR), 1.12; 95% confidence intervals (CIs), 0.24–5.26; p=0.89 and SVD HR, 1.69 (0.52–5.58); p=0.38. In the first 5 years, there was no difference in outcomes. After 5 years, the recipients of the bovine bioprosthesis were at higher risk for SVD (reintervention HR, 2.08 [0.27–16.0]; p=0.49; SVD HR, 6.99 [1.23–39.8]; p=0.03). @*Conclusions@#Both bioprosthesis have similar outcomes up to 5 years, afterwards, porcine bioprosthesis seem to have less SVD.

Quantification of Efflorescences in Pustular Psoriasis Using Deep Learning / 대한의료정보학회지

Objectives@#Pustular psoriasis (PP) is one of the most severe and chronic skin conditions. Its treatment is difficult, and measurements of its severity are highly dependent on clinicians’ experience. Pustules and brown spots are the main efflorescences of the disease and directly correlate with its activity. We propose an automated deep learning model (DLM) to quantify lesions in terms of count and surface percentage from patient photographs. @*Methods@#In this retrospective study, two dermatologists and a student labeled 151 photographs of PP patients for pustules and brown spots. The DLM was trained and validated with 121 photographs, keeping 30 photographs as a test set to assess the DLM performance on unseen data. We also evaluated our DLM on 213 unstandardized, out-of-distribution photographs of various pustular disorders (referred to as the pustular set), which were ranked from 0 (no disease) to 4 (very severe) by one dermatologist for disease severity. The agreement between the DLM predictions and experts’ labels was evaluated with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for the test set and Spearman correlation (SC) coefficient for the pustular set. @*Results@#On the test set, the DLM achieved an ICC of 0.97 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97–0.98) for count and 0.93 (95% CI, 0.92–0.94) for surface percentage. On the pustular set, the DLM reached a SC coefficient of 0.66 (95% CI, 0.60–0.74) for count and 0.80 (95% CI, 0.75–0.83) for surface percentage. @*Conclusions@#The proposed method quantifies efflorescences from PP photographs reliably and automatically, enabling a precise and objective evaluation of disease activity.

External Validation of 3 Risk Scores in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) are an increasing group of patients thanks to the survival of over 85% of children with CHD. 20% of these patients shall warrant a surgical procedure during their life span. However, currently there is no one risk score that assess correctly the mortality of these procedures. Thus, we analyse the risk scores used at our institution. METHODS: From May 1991 till June 2017, 608 procedures in adults with CHD were performed. The 3 risk scores (risk adjustment for congenital heart surgery [RACHS-1], Aristotle, and Euroscore I) of each procedure were analysed. We used area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (c-index) to measure model discrimination, and Hosmer-Lemeshow (H-L) statistic along with calibration plots to measure calibration. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference between the area under the curve for the 3 scores (χ²=0.58 with 2 df, p=0.750). There was no evidence of lack of fit for RACHS-1 (H-L, χ²=2.61; p=0.271) and Aristotle score (H-L, χ²=5.69; p=0.459). However, there was evidence in lack of calibration in the Euroscore I scoring system (H-L, χ²=33.69; p<0.001). The calibration slope for RACHS-1 was 0.912, for Aristotle (stratified in risk groups) was −0.14 and for Euroscore 1 (stratified in risk groups) was 0.46. CONCLUSIONS: RACHS-1 seems to be best risk scoring system for calculating mortality applied to surgery in adults with CHD.

External Validation of 3 Risk Scores in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES@#Adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) are an increasing group of patients thanks to the survival of over 85% of children with CHD. 20% of these patients shall warrant a surgical procedure during their life span. However, currently there is no one risk score that assess correctly the mortality of these procedures. Thus, we analyse the risk scores used at our institution.@*METHODS@#From May 1991 till June 2017, 608 procedures in adults with CHD were performed. The 3 risk scores (risk adjustment for congenital heart surgery [RACHS-1], Aristotle, and Euroscore I) of each procedure were analysed. We used area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (c-index) to measure model discrimination, and Hosmer-Lemeshow (H-L) statistic along with calibration plots to measure calibration.@*RESULTS@#There was no statistical difference between the area under the curve for the 3 scores (χ²=0.58 with 2 df, p=0.750). There was no evidence of lack of fit for RACHS-1 (H-L, χ²=2.61; p=0.271) and Aristotle score (H-L, χ²=5.69; p=0.459). However, there was evidence in lack of calibration in the Euroscore I scoring system (H-L, χ²=33.69; p<0.001). The calibration slope for RACHS-1 was 0.912, for Aristotle (stratified in risk groups) was −0.14 and for Euroscore 1 (stratified in risk groups) was 0.46.@*CONCLUSIONS@#RACHS-1 seems to be best risk scoring system for calculating mortality applied to surgery in adults with CHD.

Insuficiencia cardíaca con función preservada. Revisión del tema y comunicación de la experiencia española / Heart failure with preserved function. Review of the topic and communication of the spanish experience

En la presente revisión los autores abordan en forma pormenorizada la definición, los aspectos epidemiológicos, la fisiopatología, los pilares diagnósticos y el tratamiento de esta entidad que está adquiriendo cada vez mayor importancia en el campo de la cardiología. Los escasos ensayos clínicos realizados no han logrado aportar evidencias satisfactorias, por lo que especialmente su tratamiento constituye un reto intelectual y científico. Como muy interesante aporte se exponen las bases fundamentales del programa de las Unidades de Manejo Integral de Pacientes con Insuficiencia Cardíaca (UMIPIC) en España. Este programa tiene como principal objetivo ofrecer una asistencia sanitaria de calidad y sostenible por el sistema público y comprende la atención global de todas las enfermedades de los pacientes mayores, la educación, el uso eficiente de los recursos económicos y la motivación profesional. Se describen el plan general de trabajo y los resultados de los primeros 258 pacientes que completaron un año de seguimiento.

In the present review, the authors analyze in detail, the definition, the epidemiological aspects, the physiopathology, the diagnostic bases, and the treatment of this entity which es becoming increasingly important in the field of cardiology. The few clinical trials made so far, have not managed to satisfactory evidence, so especially the treatment, constitutes an intelectual and scientific challenge. As a very interesting contribution, the bases of the spanish Program for Integral Management of Heart Failure Units (UMIPIC), are analyzed. This program`s main objective is to offer quality health care and sustainable by the public system. It includes all diseases of elderly patients global attention, education, efficient use of economic resources and the professional motivation. The general work plan and the results of the first 258 patients who completed one year of follow- up are described.

Intrasite vancomycin powder as a prophylactic adjuvant in lumbar fusion / Vancomicina transtisular en polvo como adyuvante en profilaxis antibiótica en fusión lumbar / Vancomicina em pó no sítio cirúrgico como adjuvante na profilaxia antibiótica de fusão lombar

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify whether the use of prophylactic intrasite vancomycin as an adjuvant is a protective factor against deep tissue infection of the surgical site. Methods: Retrospective, descriptive, case-control study evaluating 210 patients, of whom 70 received intrasite vancomycin (case group) and 140 were controls. It was made a follow up for at least one year, reviewing the physical and electronic records. Data were tabulated in spreadsheets (Excel) including all variables and the statistical analysis was made with Epi InfoTM 7 to calculate the odds ratio. Results: Seven cases of deep infection occurred in the control group and none was found in the case group (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 0.1262 [0.007-2.24], P = 0.1585). Among the predisposing factors, diabetes and surgical time were the most relevant. Conclusions: Intrasite use of vancomycin has a protective effect against deep infection in patients undergoing lumbar fusion surgery without presenting considerable side effects.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Identificar si el uso de vancomicina transtisular profiláctica como coadyuvante es un factor protector contra la infección de tejidos profundos del sitio quirúrgico. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo, de carácter descriptivo, con casos y controles que evaluó 210 pacientes, de los cuales a 70 se les aplicó vancomicina (grupo de casos) y 140 controles. Realizado un seguimiento de al menos un año, revisando el expediente físico y electrónico. Los datos fueron tabulados en hojas de cálculo (Excel) incluyendo todas las variables, y aplicamos el análisis estadístico con Epi InfoTM 7, para calcular la razón de momios. Resultados: Se presentaron 7 casos de infección profunda en el grupo control, ninguno en el grupo de casos (razón de momios [intervalo de confianza del 95%]: 0,1262 [0,007 a 2,24], p = 0,1585). Entre los factores predisponentes encontramos que la diabetes y el tiempo quirúrgico fueron de mayor relevancia. Conclusiones: El uso de vancomicina transtisular ejerce un efecto protector contra la infección profunda en pacientes sometidos a cirugía de fusión lumbar sin presentar efectos colaterales de consideración.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar se o uso de vancomicina profilática como adjuvante no sítio cirúrgico é um fator de proteção contra a infecção dos tecidos profundos. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo, descritivo, de caso-controle, que avaliou 210 pacientes, dos quais 70 receberam vancomicina no sítio cirúrgico (grupo caso) e 140 eram controles. Foi feito o acompanhamento por pelo menos um ano, revendo os registros físicos e eletrônicos. Os dados foram tabulados em planilhas (Excel), incluindo todas as variáveis, e a análise estatística foi realizada com o Epi InfoTM 7 para calcular as razões de probabilidade. Resultados: Foram encontradas 7 ocorrências de infecção profunda no grupo controle e nenhum no grupo de casos (razão de probabilidades [intervalo de confiança de 95%]: 0,1262 [0,007-2,24], P = 0,1585). Entre os fatores predisponentes, o diabetes e o tempo cirúrgico foram os mais relevantes. Conclusões: O uso de vancomicina no sítio cirúrgico exerce efeito protetor contra a infecção profunda em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de fusão lombar sem apresentar efeitos colaterais importantes.

Estudo dos eletroscilogramas do sistema olfativo ao longo do ciclo vigilia-sono rato / Electroscilogram study of rat's olfactive system during wakefulness sleep cycle

No alerta atento e no sono dessincronizado ondas teta ocorrem em algumas areas neocorticais (3 e 17), no hipocampo, na area septal e em alguns nucleos talamicos. No presente estudo, nos investigamos os eletroscilogramas, implantando eletrodos, estereotaxicamente, em 18 ratos, desde o bulbo olfatorio ate o cortex olfativo. Em alerta atento ondas teta ocorrem em todos os componentes do trato olfativo. Voltagem e frequencia de tais potencias estao claramente relacionados com a intensidade dos movimentos da cabeca, do focinho e dos olhos. Em sono sincronizado, fusos (isolados, fase S ou acoplados com ondas delta, fase SW) ocorrem em todas as estruturas olfatorias. Em sono dessincronizado, ondas teta sao evidentes em todo o trato olfatorio, e sua frequencia e voltagem, como no alerta atento, estao relacionados com a intensidade e o padrao da atividade onirica, avaliados atraves da movimentacao da cabeca, dos olhos e do focinho. Assim, existe uma estreita similaridade entre as ondas durante o alerta atento (principalmente quando o animal esta explorando intensamente o meio) e o sono dessincronizado (principalmente quando o animal esta sonhando). Em ambas as condicoes um alto grau de atencao e requerido.