Hemorrhagic Versus Ischemic Risk in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation on Hemodialysis

Abstract Background Hemodialysis (HD) patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have a particularly high risk of stroke and bleeding, but no high-quality evidence-based recommendations exist to properly manage these patients. Objectives We aim to evaluate the ischemic versus the hemorrhagic risk in a HD population with AF. Methods We selected incident patients that started hemodialysis between 2011 and 2015. All patients that had AF before HD, or developed AF during the follow-up, were included. Both CHA2DS2 -VASC and HAS-BLED scores were calculated at the time of beginning of HD or AF diagnosis and correlated with the outcomes using a logistic regression model. The outcomes were hemorrhagic events, ischemic events and death related to any of these events. A p-value < 0.05 was set as statistically significant. Results Forty-six patients were included. Most of them had had AF before they started hemodialysis. Twenty-two patients were on oral anticoagulation (OAC). There was no significant difference between the incidence of ischemic and hemorrhagic events, regardless of the use of OAC. Previous stroke, transient ischemic attack, and thromboembolic event significantly increased the risk of an ischemic event (OR 6.78, p=0.028). Conclusions In this population, we did not observe any difference between the incidence of ischemic and hemorrhagic events, which was also true in patients with OAC. Therefore, the benefit of OAC in such patients remains questionable. However, patients with previous stroke, transient ischemic attack, or thromboembolic event seem to have a higher risk of new ischemic events and might benefit from anticoagulation.

Implementación de un programa de cirugía proctológica en régimen de cirugía mayor ambulatoria: experiencia inicial / Early results of an ambulatory surgery programme for benign anorectal disorders

Introducción: La realización en régimen de cirugía mayor ambulatoria (CMA) de procedimientos proctológicos complejos es aún infrecuente en nuestro medio. El objetivo del presente trabajo es presentar los resultados iniciales de un programa de cirugía proctológica en régimen de CMA que incluye procedimientos complejos tales como esfinteroplastias o colgajos de avance rectal. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo en el que se incluyeron 186 pacientes intervenidos de patología proctológica en un programa de CMA. El programa se basó en la unión de una Unidad de Coloproctología con amplia experiencia en cirugía proctológica y una Unidad de CMA ya establecida en el centro. Se analizaron los resultados tanto de ingreso como de reintervención en el postoperatorio inmediato y precoz. Resultados: Entre enero de 2014 y diciembre de 2015 se realizaron un total de 197 intervenciones, destacando 105 (53,3%) cirugías de fístula anal, 33 (16,8%) hemorroidectomías y 11 (5,6%) esfinteroplastias. De los pacientes intervenidos por fístula perianal, en 25 (23,8%) se realizó un colgajo de avance rectal. Una paciente (0,5%) requirió ingreso tras la cirugía por haberse realizado un proceso más complejo del inicialmente programado, todos los demás pacientes pudieron ser dados de alta sin complicaciones. Tres pacientes (1,5%) reingresaron en el postoperatorio precoz y fueron reoperados debido a una hemorragia poshemorroidectomía, un absceso perianal y dolor anal. Conclusiones: La implementación de un programa de patología proctológica en régimen de CMA que incluya procedimientos complejos como el colgajo de avance endorrectal o la esfinteroplastia es factible, con una baja tasa de ingresos en hospitalización y reingresos posteriores.

Introduction: Complex procedures for anorectal disorders are uncommonly performed as Ambulatory Surgery (AS). The aim of this study was to describe the early results of an AS program that included complex procedures such as advancement rectal flaps for fistula repair. Material and methods: A retrospective descriptive study was performed with 186 patients who were submitted to AS because of benign anorectal disorders. The AS program for anorectal disorders started when a Colorectal Surgery Unit with broad experience in anorectal surgery joined an AS Unit that was already working in the hospital. Hospital admissions and need of early reoperation were analyzed. Results: One hundred and ninety seven procedures were performed between January 2014 and December 2015. One hundred and five (53.3%) fistula repair surgeries were performed, as well as 33 (16.8%) hemorrhoidectomies and 11 (5.6%) anal sphincter repairs. Among the patients who were operated because of an anorectal fistulae, 25 (23.8%) were submitted to advancement rectal flap. One patient (0.5%) could not be discharged after the surgery because the procedure performed was more complex than previously expected. All other patients were discharged. Three patients (1.5%) were addmited during early postoperative course, all of them had to undergo revisional surgery because of hemorrhage, pain and anorectal abscess respectively. Conclusions: Anorectal procedures, including complex procedures such as advancement rectal flap and sphincter repair, can be performed as AS with a low percentage of patients addmited before or after discharge.

Clinical practice guidelines for the management of hypothyroidism / Diretrizes clínicas práticas para o manejo do hipotiroidismo

INTRODUCTION: Hypothyroidism has long been known for its effects on different organ systems, leading to hypometabolism. However, subclinical hypothyroidism, its most prevalent form, has been recently related to cardiovascular risk and also to maternal-fetal complications in pregnant women. OBJECTIVES: In these clinical practice guidelines, several aspects of this field have been discussed with the clear objectives of helping physicians treat patients with hypothyroidism, and of sharing some of our Latin American-based clinical experience. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Latin American Thyroid Society commissioned a Task Force on Hypothyroidism to develop evidence-based clinical guidelines on hypothyroidism. A systematic review of the available literature, focused on the primary databases of MedLine/PubMed and Lilacs/SciELO was performed. Filters to assess methodological quality were applied to select the best quality studies. The strength of recommendation on a scale from A-D was based on the Oxford Centre for Evidence--based Medicine, Levels of Evidence 2009, allowing an unbiased opinion devoid of subjective viewpoints. The areas of interest for the studies comprised diagnosis, screening, treatment and a special section for hypothyroidism in pregnancy. RESULTS: Several questions based on diagnosis, screening, treatment of hypothyroidism in adult population and specifically in pregnant women were posed. Twenty six recommendations were created based on the answers to these questions. Despite the fact that evidence in some areas of hypothyroidism, such as therapy, is lacking, out of 279 references, 73% were Grade A and B, 8% Grade C and 19% Grade D. CONCLUSIONS: These evidence-based clinical guidelines on hypothyroidism will provide unified criteria for management of hypothyroidism throughout Latin America. Although most of the studies referred to are from all over the world, the point of view of thyroidologists from Latin America is also given.

INTRODUÇÃO: O hipotiroidismo é amplamente reconhecido por seus efeitos sobre os diferentes sistemas orgânicos, levando ao hipometabolismo. No entanto, o hipotiroidismo subclínico, sua apresentação mais prevalente, tem sido recentemente relacionado ao risco cardiovascular e também com complicações materno-fetais em gestantes. OBJETIVOS: Nestas diretrizes clínicas, vários aspectos do hipotiroidismo foram discutidos com objetivos claros de ajudar os médicos a tratar pacientes com hipotiroidismo e de compartilhar algumas das nossas experiências clínicas na América Latina. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: A Sociedade Latino-Americana de Tireoide formou uma Força-Tarefa para desenvolver diretrizes baseadas em evidências clínicas sobre o hipotiroidismo. Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática da literatura existente, com foco em bancos de dados primários do MedLine/PubMed e Lilacs/SciELO. Foram feitas análises para avaliar a qualidade metodológica no sentido de selecionar os melhores estudos. A força de recomendação em uma escala de A-D foi baseada no Centro de Oxford para a Medicina Baseada em Evidência - Níveis de Evidência 2009 - , permitindo uma opinião imparcial, desprovida de pontos de vista subjetivos. As áreas de interesse compreenderam estudos de diagnóstico, triagem, tratamento e uma seção especial de hipotiroidismo na gravidez. RESULTADOS: Foram feitos vários questionamentos relacionados ao diagnóstico, triagem e tratamento do hipotiroidismo na população adulta e, especificamente, em mulheres grávidas. Foram elaboradas vinte e seis recomendações baseadas nas respostas a essas perguntas. Apesar da falta de evidências em algumas áreas como o tratamento do hipotiroidismo, de 279 referências, 73% eram de Grau A e B, 8% de Grau C e 19% de Grau D. CONCLUSÕES: Essas diretrizes baseadas em evidências clínicas sobre o hipotiroidismo poderão fornecer um critério consensual de como tratar o hipotiroidismo na América Latina. Apesar de a maior parte dos estudos referidos ser da experiência internacional em hipotiroidismo, o ponto de vista dos tiroidologistas da América Latina foi contemplado.

Aspectos de interés para la vida de las personas viudas / Aspects of interest for the widowed persons'life

En este articulo se expresan los resultados de una investigación descriptiva de corte transversal, realizada en el Policlínico Docente Dr. Mario Escalona Reguera, en Alamar, con la intención de abordar lo que sucede cuando muere uno de los cónyuges que dio origen a las familias incluidas en este estudio, y que por tanto, viven la etapa evolutiva de disolución como grupo. Para ello, se revisaron las fichas familiares de los consultorios pertenecientes a un Grupo Básico de Trabajo, conformando nuestro universo de investigación con 60 familias que cumplían Ios requisitos de inclusión establecidos previamente. Se utilizó la entrevista como técnica para la recogida de información, realizada con previo consentimiento del que afrontaba la pérdida del cónyuge en estas familias. Dentro los resultados más importantes se observó que la viudez, en nuestro trabajo, es afrontada por mayor número de mujeres, y que en general, la mayoría de los entrevistados no esperaban la muerte de su campanero(a). Se destaca la familia como la red de apoyo principal en esta etapa, percibida por demás, como muy difícil, y son más referidos los trastornos del estado de ánimo relacionados con la pérdida del cónyuge, en las féminas, que entre los hombres

Evaluación de la eficacia y tolerancia del Saccharomyces Boulardii (Florestor) en pacientes con diarrea aguda: Un estudio multicéntrico / Evaluation of the tolerance and efficacy of saccharomyces boulardii in patients with acute diarradea: Multicentric study

Se evaluó la eficacia y la tolerancia del Florestor (Saccharomyces boulardii, dosis diaria oral 400 mg) en el síndrome de diarrea aguda, mediante un estudio clínico abierto y multicéntrico, donde se incluyeron 230 niños con edades comprendidas entre 3 meses y 5 años. La evaluación del total diario de puntos antes y después de tratamiento con Florestor mostró una diferencia estadísticamente significante (p<0,001). Esta cuantificación de la eficacia reflejó indirectamente porcentajes de curación de 91,7 por ciento a los tres días de tratamiento. Al tercer día de tratamiento, la eficacia clínica fue considerada como muy eficaz o eficaz en un 99,1 por ciento del total de pacientes. En un 96 por ciento del universo de los 230 pacientes, la tolerancia fue expresada como excelente o buena. Se concluye que florestor es un producto seguro y eficaz para el tratamiento de la diarrea aguda, no complicada, asociado a la rehidratación oral en niños ambulatorios con edades entre 3 meses y 5 años