Brachiocephalic Vein and Superior Vena Cava Reconstruction with a Superficial Femoral Vein Graft

Abstract Superior vena cava syndrome (SVCS) is an entity that has become more frequent due to the increasing use of indwelling central venous catheters. Surgical management is considered in patients with extensive venous thrombosis and when endovascular therapy is not feasible. The use of superficial femoral vein is an excellent technique for reconstruction of the brachiocephalic vein and superior vena cava (SVC) in cases with benign and malignant etiologies. We describe two cases of SVCS that were managed surgically at our institution with replacement of the SVC and brachiocephalic veins with a superficial femoral vein graft technique.

COVID-19 y enfermedad cardiovascular / COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease

Resumen En diciembre de 2019, en Wuhan, provincia de Hubei en China, se reportó un grupo de 27 pacientes con neumonía de etiología desconocida, vinculados con exposición al mercado de mariscos, pescado y animales vivos. El 7 de enero de 2020, se identificó una nueva sepa de coronavirus aislada en estos pacientes (SARS-CoV-2); la enfermedad producida por este virus ha sido denominada COVID-19. Durante las etapas iniciales de la pandemia y dados los pocos estudios publicados al respecto, se creía que este coronavirus causaba síntomas netamente respiratorios; sin embargo, a medida que el número de pacientes aumentó, se observó que la enfermedad cardiovascular tenía un papel fundamental en el desarrollo y pronóstico de la infección. Los factores de riesgo más importantes relacionados con mortalidad son la edad y la presencia de comorbilidades, especialmente de tipo cardiovascular. El incremento en niveles de troponina, péptidos natriuréticos y dímero-D tiene valor pronóstico en pacientes con infección por SARS-CoV-2. Los pacientes con COVID-19 tienen un aumento en el riesgo de infarto agudo del miocardio, miocarditis, insuficiencia cardiaca, choque, arritmias y muerte súbita, en relación con la respuesta sistémica al virus y a los tratamientos necesarios en la fase aguda. En este documento se revisa el compromiso cardiovascular por SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

Abstract In December 2019, in Wuhan in the province of Hubei in China, there was a report on a group of 27 patients with a pneumonia of unknown origin, linked to exposure in a market with shellfish, fish, and live animals. In January 2020, a new strain of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was isolated in these patients. The disease caused by this virus has been given the name of COVID-19. During the initial stages of the pandemic, and given the scarcity of studies published about this, it was believed that this coronavirus only caused respiratory symptoms. However, as the number of patients increased, it was observed that cardiovascular disease had a fundamental role in the development and prognosis of the infection. The most important risk factors associated with mortality are age and the presence of comorbidities, particularly cardiovascular ones. The increase in the levels of troponin, natriuretic peptides, and D-dimer are of prognostic values in patients with an infection due to SARS-CoV-2. Patients with COVID-19 have an increased risk of acute myocardial infarction, myocarditis, heart failure, shock, arrhythmias, and sudden death, in relation to the systematic response to the virus and to the treatments needed in the acute phase. A review is presented in this article of the cardiovascular involvement due to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19).

Displasia fibromuscular en la Argentina. Registro del grupo de trabajo de Hipertensión Secundaria de la Sociedad Argentina de Hipertensión Arterial (SAHARA-DF): proyecto de protocolo y resultados preliminares / Fibromuscular dysplasia in Argentina. A registry from the Secondary Hypertension working group of the Argentine Society of Hypertension (SAHARA-DF): project protocol and preliminary results

En la Argentina no existen datos epidemiológicos sobre displasia fibromuscular. La realización de un registro nacional puede aportar información que conduzca a una actualización de los consensos y recomendaciones para un correcto diagnóstico, evaluación y tratamiento. El Registro Argentino de Displasia Fibromuscular (SAHARA-DF) inició su actividad de recopilación de datos en octubre de 2015. Al año 2019 se confirmaron 49 pacientes (44 mujeres, 38 hipertensos, edad 45,3 ± 17,2 años, 12 con presentación neurológica). Veintidós pacientes tuvieron lesiones vasculares en más de un sitio, a pesar del sesgo diagnóstico por falta de estudios complementarios en casi la mitad de los casos. El sitio afectado más frecuente fue el renovascular, seguido por el carotídeo y el ilíaco, y las lesiones multifocales fueron más frecuentes que las unifocales (35 versus 14, respectivamente). Se constató la presencia de aneurismas asociados en 13 casos y disección arterial en 4 casos. De las 22 angioplastias renales realizadas, 14 fueron con colocación de stent (endoprótesis). En este estudio preliminar de una población argentina se evidencia el carácter sistémico de la enfermedad y se plantea un llamado a actuar en cuanto a la necesidad de debatir el algoritmo diagnóstico y el método de tratamiento. (AU)

In Argentina there are no epidemiological data regarding fibromuscular dysplasia. Building a National Registry may provide information leading to updated consensus and recommendations for a correct diagnosis, assessment and treatment. Data gathering for the Argentine Registry of Fibromuscular Dysplasia (SAHARA-DF) was initiated in October 2015. By 2019, 49 patients were confirmed (44 women, 38 hypertensives, age 45.3 ± 17.2 years, 12 with a neurological presentation). Twenty-two patients had multi-site vascular lesions, in spite of a diagnosis bias due to lack of supporting studies in almost half of the cases. The renovascular site was the most affected, followed by the carotid and iliac sites, and multifocal lesions were more frequent than unifocal (35 versus 14, respectively). Associated aneurysms were found in 13 cases, and arterial dissection in 4. Twenty-two renal angioplasties were performed, 14 with stent placement. In this preliminary study of an Argentinian population, the systemic nature of the disease is evidenced, and a call for action arises regarding the need for discussing the diagnostic algorithm and treatment method. (AU)

Reemplazo de cadera en pacientes jóvenes: Experiencia con vástago corto preservador de cuello femoral / Hip replacement in young patients: Experience with a femoral neck preserving short stem

Introduccion La tendencia creciente de uso de implantes no cementados y el desarrollo de tecnologías que buscan restablecer la anatomía y función articular con una mayor preservación ósea, ha incrementado el uso de vástagos cortos en el remplazo total de cadera (RTC). El objetivo de este estudio es describir resultados funcionales, restauración radiológica de la anatomía, tasa de complicaciones y reintervención de pacientes sometidos a RTC usando vástagos femorales cortos de fijación cervico metafisiaria con apoyo en cortical lateral. Materiales y Métodos Estudio descriptivo prospectivo, donde se incluyeron 45 caderas en pacientes con artrosis de cadera de cualquier etiología. El seguimiento fue de 18 meses. Las variables de desenlace evaluadas fueron: 1. Integración del implante, 2. Complicaciones dependientes del implante femoral, 3. Subsidencia y 4. Reintervención. Se evaluó adicionalmente el resultado funcional con escala WOMAC. Resultados Durante el periodo comprendido entre diciembre de 2011 a julio 2017, encontramos una mejoría en estado funcional en el 97% (n:44) de los pacientes, no hubo reintervenciones. Discusión En el 100% de los casos se encontró osteointegración del implante y los resultados son comparables con los reportes de la literatura. Consideramos que el uso de vástagos cortos en el Reemplazo total de Cadera es un procedimiento seguro, con buenos resultados, teniendo la ventaja de una adecuada integración ósea del implante y garantizar un mejor stock óseo en una próxima cirugía.

Background The growing trend in the use of non-cemented implants and the development of technologies that attempt to restore the anatomy and joint function with greater bone preservation has increased the use of short stems in the total hip replacement (THR). The objective of this study is to describe functional results, radiological restoration of the anatomy, complication and revision rate of patients undergoing THR using short femoral stems with metaphyseal cervical fixation with lateral cortical support. Materials and Methods A prospective descriptive study was performed that included 45 hips of patients with hip osteoarthritis of any origin. The follow-up was 18 months. The outcome variables evaluated were: 1. Integration of the implant, 2. Complications dependent on the femoral implant, 3. Subsidence, and 4. Re-intervention. The functional result was additionally evaluated using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC). Results During the period from December 2011 to July 2017, an improvement was observed in functional status in 97% (n: 44) of patients, with no reoperations. Discussion Bone integration of the implant was observed in 100% of the cases, making the results comparable with the reports in the literature. It is believed that the use of short stems in total hip replacement is a safe procedure, with good outcomes. It also has the advantage of an adequate bone integration of the implant, and guaranteeing a better bone stock in the next surgery.

La memoria del conflicto armado en Bucaramanga: análisis de una experiencia investigativa desde las voces de las víctimas / Memoir of Armed Conflict in Bucaramanga: An Analysis of Research Experience from Victims' Voices

Resumen La relación del conflicto armado interno colombiano y el Área Metropolitana de Bucaramanga (Colombia), dentro de los estudios históricos de esta ciudad, es todavía una tarea pendiente. En este orden, es necesario complejizar los abordajes actuales en los estudios respecto a identidades, referentes, marcos y expresiones de la memoria en contextos de prolongado conflicto armado como es el caso de Colombia. Así mismo, es importante señalar nuevas posibilidades de investigación en lo referente a las relaciones de dicho conflicto armado persistente y la configuración de dichos referentes, marcos y expresiones de la memoria

Abstract The relationship of the Colombian internal armed conflict and the Metropolitan Area of Bucaramanga, Colombia, within the historical studies of this city, is still a pending task. In this order, it is necessary that current studies regarding identities, relating approaches, frameworks, and expressions of memory, in contexts of prolonged armed conflict as in the case of Colombia, can be made more complex. Likewise, it is important to point out new possibilities of research regarding the relations of the persistent armed conflict and the configuration of related sayings, frames of reference, and expressions of memory.

Uremic pruritus in hemodialysis patients: treatment with desloratidine versus gabapentin / Prurido urêmico em pacientes em hemodiálise: tratamento com desloratidina versus gabapentina

INTRODUCTION: Uremic pruritus is common among dialysis patients. Effective treatments are not readily available. Early evidence with antihistamines and gabapentin indicate variable effects. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and side effects of gabapentin and desloratadine in patients with dialysis pruritus. METHODS: Prospective, open-label, cross-over clinical trial in 22 patients on chronic hemodialysis with sustained pruritus over a period of at least 60 days. After a one-week run-in period, we assigned patients to three weeks of either gabapentin 300 mg thrice weekly or desloratadine 5 mg thrice weekly. After a one-week washout period, each patient crossed-over to the alternate regimen for three more weeks. The primary endpoint of the study was the change in the visual analogue pruritus score (VAS). RESULTS: Nineteen subjects completed the two treatment blocks and were available for analysis. VAS scores decreased with both treatments (5.95 to 4.6 with gabapentin, p = 0.07; 5.89 to 3.4 with desloratadine, p = 0.004), but only desloratadine reached statistical significance. There were no differences when comparing the final pruritus score with gabapentin and desloratadine (4.6 versus 3.4, p = 0.16) Excessive sedation was common with gabapentin. Desloratadine was well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Desloratadine provides significant relief of uremic pruritus compared with no therapy. gabapentin has marginal efficacy. Desloratadine is better tolerated than gabapentin.

INTRODUÇÃO: Prurido urêmico é comum entre pacientes em diálise. Tratamentos eficazes não estão disponíveis até o momento. Provas recentes com anti-histamínicos e gabapentina indicam vários efeitos. OBJETIVO: Comparar a eficiência e os efeitos colaterais da gabapentina e da desloratadina em pacientes com prurido na diálise. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo, aberto e comparativo com 22 pacientes em hemodiálise crônica com prurido constante durante um período de pelo menos 60 dias. Após uma semana, submetemos os pacientes a três semanas de gabapentina 300 mg, três vezes por semana, ou desloratadina 5 mg três vezes por semana. Após um período de eliminação de uma semana, os pacientes trocaram de regime por mais três semanas. O objetivo primário do estudo foi a mudança na escala visual analógica (EVA) de prurido. RESULTADOS: Dezenove indivíduos completaram os dois tratamentos e foram submetidos à análise. Os escores da EVA caíram com ambos os tratamentos (5,95 para 4,6 com gabapentina, p = 0,07; 5,89 para 3,4 com desloratadina, p = 0,004), mas somente a desloratadina teve significância estatística. Nenhuma diferença foi observada ao comparar o escore final do prurido com gabapentina e desloratadina (4,6 versus 3,4, p = 0,16). Excesso de sedação foi comum com gabapentina. A desloratadina teve alto nível de tolerância. CONCLUSÃO: A desloratadina dá alívio significante do prurido urêmico quando comparada a nenhum tratamento. A gabapentina tem eficiência marginal. A desloratadina tem maior nível de tolerância em relação à gabapentina.