Disfunción endotelial. Mecanismos e implicancias en Covid-19 / Endothelial dysfunction. Mechanisms and implications on Covid-19

Endothelium is the inner layer of vessels that separates circulating blood from the rest of the body tissues. Since its discovery, it has been involved in various functions, both systemic and organ specific. Currently, endothelial damage and failure in its functions is considered a key element in pathophysiology of various clinical scenarios, among which we may find COVID-19.Hence, it has been a target in development of strategies that seek to maintain, enhance or repair its function. The purpose of the following review is to describe what an endothelial function is about, its relation with current medical practice, and its implications in the SARS- CoV-2 pandemic. (AU)

Sepsis en Cirugía / Sepsis in Surgery

Resumen La sepsis constituye una causa frecuente de muerte por lo que es muy importante el diagnóstico precoz para conseguir un manejo oportuno y eficiente. Las definiciones y consensos han ido sufriendo modificaciones a lo largo del tiempo por lo que el equipo médico quirúrgico debe estar atento a estos cambios y debe mantenerse en constante actualización. El consenso de Sepsis-3, propone el uso del qSOFA y SOFA con el fin de mejorar la especificidad del reconocimiento de pacientes de mayor gravedad; no obstante, esto se logra a expensas de una menor sensibilidad, es por esto que los criterios clásicos de SIRS deben seguir utilizándose ante la sospecha de sepsis. Es clave la identificación temprana de los pacientes para que el resultado de las medidas a tomar sea el óptimo. La sepsis quirúrgica sigue siendo un cuadro clínico difícil de reconocer y manejar, es una urgencia que requiere medidas iniciales durante la primera hora de sospecha por lo que es transcendental para el cirujano conocer estas medidas, para poder planificar una posible cirugía de urgencia con el respaldo médico adecuado, según corresponda. El objetivo de esta revisión es que el cirujano y el equipo médico actualicen los cambios de los consensos de sepsis en cuanto al diagnóstico y al manejo bajo una mirada crítica y conozcan también el enfrentamiento adecuado de una sepsis quirúrgica para, de esta manera, mejorar la sobrevida de nuestros pacientes.

Sepsis constitutes a frequent cause of death, early diagnosis is essential to achieve proper management. Definitions and consensus have undergone modifications over time, so the surgical and medical team must be aware of these changes and must be constantly updated. The consensus of Sepsis-3 proposes the use of qSOFA and SOFA in order to improve the specificity of the recognition of patients with greater severity; however, this is achieved at the expense of lower sensitivity, so that the standard SIRS criteria should continue to be used when sepsis is suspected.The early identification of patients is very important to optimize the handling of the medical team. Surgical sepsis remains a difficult clinical picture to recognize and manage. It is an emergency that requires initial actions during the first hour of suspicion. By this it is important for the surgeon to know these actions that allow him or her to plan a possible emergency surgery when appropriate with adequate medical support. The objective of this update is for surgeon and medical team to know the changes in sepsis consensus regarding diagnosis and management under a critical view, as well as to know the therapeutic approach of a surgical sepsis to improve the survival of our patients.

Sepsis severa cirugía / Severe sepsis and surgery

Severe sepsis is a common condition, increasing in incidence and mortality. Despite it has always been part of the surgeon's clinical practice, severe sepsis of surgical origin remains difficult to manage. Decisions about initial resuscitation, timing of source control, surgical technique and antimicrobial therapy are challenging. The goal of this review is to ensure surgeons and other health professionals are aware of diagnostic and treatment choices actually recommended in order to reduce the high mortality of surgical severe sepsis.

La sepsis severa es una condición clínica frecuente, cuya incidencia y mortalidad van en aumento. Aunque siempre ha sido parte de la práctica clínica del cirujano, la sepsis severa de causa quirúrgica sigue siendo un cuadro clínico difícil de manejar. Las decisiones sobre reanimación del paciente, momento de la cirugía, técnica quirúrgica a utilizar y uso de antibióticos son un desafío. El objetivo de esta revisión es que el cirujano y el equipo médico conozcan las alternativas diagnósticas y terapéuticas actualmente recomendadas para reducir la alta mortalidad de la sepsis severa de causa quirúrgica.

Morbilidad materna grave e ingreso a cuidado intensivo: Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile (2006-2010) / Intensive care admissions due to severe maternal morbidity

Background: Maternal morbidity is a quality of care indicator. The frequency of severe maternal morbidity that requires an intensive care management has increased, due to an increase in maternal age. Aim: To describe the severe and acute maternal morbidity spectrum that requires an intensive care management in a University Hospital. Material and Methods: Review of medical records of 89 pregnant women with a mean age of 29 years, admitted to an Intensive Care Unit (UCI) between 2006 and 2010. Results: Mean gestational age on admission was 32 weeks. The main comorbidities identified were chronic hypertension (13.5%), hypothyroidism (4.5%) and coagulopathies (6.7%). Severe preeclampsia, sepsis and obstetric hemorrhage were the main causes of admission. Length of stay ranged from 1 to 28 days. Seventy eight percent of patients were admitted in the immediate postnatal period. Mechanical ventilation was required in 24% of patients for a median of three days. The longer unit lengths of stay were observed in patients with preeclampsia and non-obstetric severe sepsis (pyelonephritis and pneumonia). Seven abortions and seven perinatal deaths were recorded. The latter were mainly secondary to severe preeclampsia/ HELLP syndrome. Neonatal morbidity was related to prematurity (19% hyaline membrane, 18% persistent ductus and 4% cerebral hemorrhage). There were no maternal deaths. Conclusions: Preeclampsia and its complications were the main causes of maternal ICU admission. In this series, there were no maternal deaths and the perinatal survival rate was 92%.

Actualización del bundle de reanimación inicial y monitorización integral de la perfusión tisular en la sepsis severa / Initial resuscitation bundle and monitoring tissue perfusion in severe sepsis

Sepsis is a global health problem. Despite recent advances in understanding its pathophysiology and clinical trials testing potential new therapies, mortality remains unacceptably high. In fact, sepsis is the leading cause of death in non-coronary intensive care units around the world. However, during the past decade, some studies have highlighted that early recognition of sepsis and an appropriate initial approach are fundamental determinants of prognosis. A systematic approach to the harmful triad of sepsis-related hypotension, tissue hypoperfusion and organ dysfunction, with low-cost, easy to implement, and effective interventions, can significantly improve the chances of survival. In this article, we will update the evidence supporting the initial resuscitation bundle for patients with severe sepsis, and discuss the physiological basis for perfusion monitoring during septic shock resuscitation.

Delirium postoperatorio: una ventana hacia una mejoría de la calidad y seguridad en la atención de pacientes quirúrgicos / Postoperative delirium: a window to quality improvement and safety in the care of surgical patients

Postoperative delirium or acute confusional state is a common complication among older subjects. Many factors influence its appearance, such as preexistent problems of the patient, medication use, pain, the perioperative anesthetic management and the intensity of the inflammatory reaction to surgical trauma. Its consequences are a longer hospital stay, higher risk of complications and a long term derangement of functional status and cognitive performance. The management of delirium is multifactorial, including the avoidance of precipitating factors, the maintenance of an adequate environment and the conscious use of neuroleptics. The prevention of delirium should be a priority that will improve health care standards.

El delirium postoperatorio constituye una complicación frecuente y relevante de los pacientes quirúrgicos, en particular en los adultos mayores Su génesis es multifactorial participando características preexistentes del paciente, y gatillantes como medicamentos, dolor, el enfrentamiento anestésico peri operatorio y la intensidad de la respuesta inflamatoria asociada al trauma quirúrgico, entre otros. La aparición de delirium postoperatorio se asocia a desenlaces adversos, como una mayor estadía hospitalaria, mayor riesgo de complicaciones, y a una reducción en la funcionalidad y el estado cognitivo en la evolución alejada. Estrategias de prevención no farmacológicas multimodales, han documentado una reducción significativa en la incidencia de delirium. La terapia del delirium, debe enfocarse en la búsqueda y manejo de factores precipitantes, en favorecer un adecuado entorno no farmacológico, y en el uso apropiado de neurolépticos. El adecuado reconocimiento de esta entidad, y la implementación de estrategias de prevención no farmacológicas constituyen actualmente un estándar que promueve una atención de calidad y segura a los pacientes quirúrgicos.

Errores de medicación en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos / Medication errors in the Unit Intensive Care

The safety and quality care are two attributes of the health care that are closely related. The critically ill patients are vulnerable to medical errors, and may experience preventable adverse events, often associated with drugs. The errors in the medication use process may occur at any stage, it is ordering, transcription, dispensing, preparation or administration. Medication errors (ME) can occur in one third of patients hospitalized in an ICU and have the potential to cause permanent damage to patients and longer hospital stay, with the resulting emotional and financial cost associated. Although technology can reduce the likelihood for adverse drug events, the optimal methods for implementation, integration, and evaluation in clinical practice remain unclear. In this paper we present some strategies and interventions to reduce the incidence of ME and optimize the safety and quality of care of critically ill patients (AU)

Hiponatremia / Hyponatremia

Alterations in plasma osmolality are related to changes in cell volume, which are the pathophysiological substrate of serious diseases. Under normal conditions sodium is the main determinant of plasma osmolality, and its homeostasis depends primarily on water balance. Hyponatremia is common in clinical practice, and is associated with morbidity and mortality by itself or in relation to its treatment. Despite this, sodium disorders are underdiagnosed, undertreated, and often handled improperly. Because multiple conditions with different treatments can be manifested through hyponatremia, the clear understanding of the pathophysiologic condition of each patient is essential for proper management. This review will discuss the pathophysiology, diagnostic approaches and current therapies of hyponatremia (AU)

Traqueostomía percutánea en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos / Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy in the Intensive Care Unit

El desarrollo de las diversas técnicas de traquesotomía percutánea ha facilitado la ejecución de este procedimiento en pacientes críticos sometidos a ventilación mecánica, y ha demostrado ser tanto o más seguro que la traqueostomía abierta en este grupo de enfermos. La traqueostomía percutánea ofrece beneficios adicionales, evitando la necesidad de movilizar a los pacientes a pabellón, acelerando su ejecución y mejorando la utilización de los recursos. En la actualidad la traqueostomía percutánea realizada en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos constituye el abordaje de elección para los pacientes críticos. La técnica de Ciaglia Blue Rhino es la modalidad de traqueostomía percutánea por dilatación más difundida a nivel mundial y la que presenta el mejor perfil de seguridad. La asistencia fibrobroncoscópica mejora la seguridad del procedimiento. Algunos pacientes seleccionados pueden beneficiarse de una evaluación previa con ecodoppler cervical. En la actualidad, la evidencia disponible sugiere fuertemente que la realización de una traqueostomía temprana puede reducir los días de ventilación mecánica y la estadía en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, sin embargo aún quedan dudas sobre su verdadero impacto en la incidencia de neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica y en la reducción de la mortalidad. En manos de un intensivista experimentado las contraindicaciones relativas clásicas no deberían ser un impedimento para la realización de una traqueostomía percutánea, ya que puede ser practicada con seguridad incluso en pacientes críticos de alto riesgo.

The development of various techniques of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy has facilitated the implementation of this procedure in critically ill patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy provides additional benefits by avoiding the need to mobilize patients to the operating room, speeding implementation and improving resource utilization. Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy has proven to be as safe as open surgical tracheostomy in critically ill patients undergoing mechanical ventilation; therefore it seems to be a more suitable approach for these patients. Ciaglia Blue Rhino technique is the most widespread method of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy around de world and which has the best safety profile. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy assistance and preliminary cervical ultrasound examination in selected patients improve the safety of the procedure. Currently, the available evidence strongly suggests that performing an early tracheostomy may shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation and length of stay on the Intensive Care Unit. However, there are still doubts about its real impact on the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia, and in reducing mortality. In hands of an experienced intensivist relative contraindications should not be an impediment to perform a percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy, since it can be performed safely even in high risk critically ill patients.

Traqueostomía percutánea con asistencia fibrobroncoscópica en pacientes críticos de alto riesgo: seguridad de las indicaciones extendidas / Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy with fiberoptic bronchoscopy assistance in high-risk critically ill patients

Introducción: La traqueostomía percutánea (TP) por dilatación es el método de elección en pacientes críticos que requieren la instalación de una traqueostomía. Sin embargo, una proporción importante de pacientes presentan habitualmente una o más contraindicaciones relativas para la realización de este procedimiento. Objetivo: Comparar la incidencia de complicaciones perioperatorias asociadas a la TP con la técnica de Ciaglia Blue Rhino y asistencia fibrobroncoscópica en pacientes críticos de alto riesgo versus pacientes críticos de bajo riesgo. Pacientes y Método: Se evaluaron en forma prospectiva 180 pacientes sometidos a una TP electiva debido a ventilación mecánica prolongada. Todas las TP fueron realizadas en la Unidad de Pacientes Críticos por un intensivista experimentado en el procedimiento y mediante un abordaje estandarizado. Se registraron variables demográficas, APACHE II, días de ventilación mecánica antes de la TP y la tasa de complicaciones perioperatorias. Resultados: La incidencia de complicaciones operatorias para los pacientes de alto y bajo riesgo fue 4,5 por ciento (3/67) y 5,2 por ciento (6/114), respectivamente (p = 0,81). No se registraron complicaciones operatorias graves, ni muertes asociadas al procedimiento. La incidencia de complicaciones postoperatorias fue 3 por ciento (2/67) para los pacientes de alto riesgo vs. 2,6 por ciento (3/114) para los pacientes de bajo riesgo (p =0,89). La incidencia global de complicaciones perioperatorias fue 7,5 por ciento (5/67) y 7,9 por ciento (9/114) para los pacientes de alto y bajo riesgo, respectivamente (p = 0,92).Conclusión: La TP por dilatación con la técnica de Ciaglia Blue Rhino modificada y asistencia fibrobroncoscópica es segura en pacientes críticos de alto riesgo, cuando es realizada por un intensivista experimentado mediante un abordaje estandarizado.

Background: Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) is the method of choice in critically ill patients requiring the installation of a tracheostomy. However, a significant proportion of patients usually have one or more relative contraindications for this procedure. Objective: To compare the incidence of perioperative complication of PDT with the modified Ciaglia Blue Rhino technique and fiberoptic bronchoscopy assistance in high-risk critically ill patients versus low-risk critically ill patients. Patients and Methods: We prospectively evaluated 180 patients undergoing an elective PDT due to prolonged mechanical ventilation. All of the PDT were performed in the Critical Care Unit for an intensivist experienced in the procedure, using a standardized approach. We recorded demographic variables, APACHE II, days of mechanical ventilation before the PDT and the rate of perioperative complications. Results: The incidence of operative complications for patients high and low risk was 4.5 percent (3/67) and 5.2 percent (6/114), respectively (p =0.81). There were no serious operative complications or deaths associated with the procedure. The incidence of postoperative complications was 3 percent (2/67) for high risk patients vs 2.6 percent (3/114) for low risk patients (p=0.89). The overall incidence of perioperative complications was 7.5 percent (5/67) and 7.9 percent (9/114) for patients at high and low risk, respectively (p =0.92). Conclusions: PDT with the modified Ciaglia Blue Rhino technique and fiberoptic bronchoscopy assistance is safe in critically ill patients at high risk, when performed by an experienced intensivist using a standardized approach.

Traqueostomía en el paciente crítico / Tracheostomy in the critical patient

Tracheostomy has evolved from a complex surgical intervention traditionally performed in the operating room, to a bedside procedure that can be done in the Intensive Care Unit, through a percutaneous approach. Percutaneous tracheostomy has proven to be as safe as open surgical tracheostomy in critically ill patients undergoing mechanical ventilation; therefore it seems to be a more suitable approach for these patients because it avoids the need of mobilizing patients outside their units and is performed in less time. Ciaglia Blue Rhino technique is the most widespread method of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy, and exhibits an adequate safety profile. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy assistance and preliminary cervical ultrasound examination in selected patients improve the safeness of the procedure. Currently, the available evidencestrongly suggests that achieving an early tracheostomy may shorten mechanical ventilation days and stay in the Intensive Care Unit, but a decline in ventilator-associated pneumonia incidence and overall mortality reduction remains to be proven. In hands of an experienced intensivist, relative contraindications should not be an impediment to perform a percutaneous tracheostomy, since it can be performed safely even in high risk critically ill patients. Recently completed studies and those close to be finished, will provide interesting data on this significant topic.

Traqueostomía percutánea con asistencia fibrobroncoscópica: evaluación prospectiva de 100 casos consecutivos y revisión de la literatura / Fiberoptic bronchoscopy assisted percutaneous tracheostomy: report of 100 patients

Background: Development of percutaneous techniques for tracheostomy have facilitated its implementation in the intensive care unit (ICU). Aim: To evaluate the safety of performing percutaneous tracheostomy (PT) using the Ciaglia Blue Rhino thechnique with fiberoptic bronchoscopy assistance in patients with prolonged mechanical ventilation. Patients and methods: Prospective evaluation of 100 consecutive patients aged 62±16 years (38 women) subjected to percutaneous tracheostomy. AU the procedures were performed in the ICU. Demographic variables, APACHE II, days of mechanical ventilation before PT, operative and post operative complications were recorded. Results: Mean APACHE II score was 20±3. Patients required on average 16±7 days of mechanical ventilation before PT. Eight patients (8 percent) had operative complications. One had an episode of transitory desaturation, one had a transitory hypotension related to sedation and six had mild bleeding not requiríng transfusión. No patient required conversión to surgical tracheostomy. Four patients (4 percent) presentedpost operative complications. Two had a mild and transitory bleeding ofthe ostomy and two had a displacement ofthe cannula. No other complications were observed. Conclusions: PT using the Ciaglia Blue Rhino technique with fiberoptic bronchoscopy assistance is a safe procedure that can be performed in the ICU by trained intensivists.

Acidosis láctica severa asociada a infusión de propofol: Caso clínico / Severe lactic acidosis caused by propofol infusion: Report of one case

Propofol infusion syndrome (PRIS) is a rare but potentially lethal complications. This disorder is triggered under unknown circumstances by a propofol infusion of more than 5 mg/kg/h for more than 48 h. PRIS is characterized by a multiorgan failure and rhabdomyolysis and is induced by a disturbance in mitochondrial long chain fatty acid oxidation. We report a 43 year-old woman who underwent brain surgery due to a vascular malformation. In the immediate postoperative period, she had an unexplained and severe lactic acidosis. During anaesthesia, she received a propofol infusion of 7 mg/kg/h that continued in the UCI at a rate of 3.5 mg/kg/h, for 8 hours more. The suspicion of PRIS motivated immediate discontinuation of propofol with rapid correction of lactic acidosis and full recovery of the patient.

Reanimación protocolizada del shcok séptico / Protocolized reanimation of septic shock

Severe sepsis and septic shock are pathologies with an increasing incidence in the world. Annually, in the USA 200.000 people die because of severe sepsis, the same number that die because of a myocardial infarction, being this last disease much more common. In Chile, a multicentric study found a 40 percent of prevalence of severe sepsis in critically ill patients, with amortality of 27 percent. In this scenario, it becomes of great importance the appropriate and integral management of this condition, by means of an early diagnosis and the implementation of anaggressive protocolized resuscitation, guided by clear goals. During the first stage of the resuscitation cristalloids and/ or colloids can be used, in order to expand the intravascular space, searching for CVP around 8 to 12 mmHg. In case of hypotension refractory to the administration of fluids, it is recommended to start with increasing doses of norepinephrin untila MAP of 65 - 75 mmHg is achieved. The intensity of the septic shock can be stratified according to the requirements of norepinephrine. It is of great importance to obtain blood cultures of the patients and to start with empiric antibiotic therapy as soon as possible. The initial metabolic goal must be the normalization of the central venous oxygen saturation. The implementation of the resuscitation bundle during the first six hours, since the diagnose of severe sepsis is done, increases the chances of surviving. Protocols of sedation and analgesia, and the use of protective mechanical ventilation is highly recommended. The use of hydrocortisone and human recombinant protein C in selected patients, may have a beneficial result in the outcome.Vasopressin, terlipressin and high-volume hemofiltration can be used as rescue measures for the most severe patients.

Etiología de la neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica en un hospital clínico: Asociación con co-morbilidad, uso previo de antimicrobianos y mortalidad / Etiology of ventilator-associated pneumonia in a university hospital: Association with comorbidity, previous use of antibiotics and mortality

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a complication with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Inadequate antibiotic treatment is a risk factor of mortality which can be improved. For this reason it is important to know the local etiology of VAP. During a one year-period we investigated the etiology of VAP in a teaching hospital. Forty eight VAP were included, of which 19 were women. The median age was 59.5 (range 17-91 years), twelve VAP were early onset. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was the main microorganism isolated, regardless of timing of diagnosis of VAP, followed by polimicrobial etiology, Acinetobacter sp and P. aeruginosa. Etiology was not associated with comorbidity; however previous antibiotic use was related with MRSA and polymicrobial etiology. Mortality was 35 percent and was mainly associated with P. aeruginosa isolation. Conclusion: MRSA was the main cause of VAP regardless of the timing of its occurrence.

La neumonía asociada a la ventilación mecánica (NAVM) es una complicación relacionada con un aumento de morbilidad y mortalidad. Dentro de los factores de mal pronóstico, el tratamiento antimicrobiano inadecuado es una de las variables que puede corregirse. Para esto debe conocerse la etiología institucional de la NAVM. Durante un año se recopilaron las NAVM con documentación microbiológica en un hospital universitario. En total, 48 neumonías fueron incluidas, 19 en pacientes femeninas, la mediana de la edad fue de 59,5 años (rango 17-91), 12 de ellas precoces. Staphylococcus aureus meticilina resistente (MRSA) fue el principal agente involucrado, independiente del momento de su génesis, seguido por la etiología polimicrobiana, Acinetobacter sp y Pseudomonas aeruginosa, en ese orden. La etiología no se asoció con la existencia de co-morbilidad, el uso previo de antimicrobianos se asoció con la presencia de MRSA y etiología polimicrobiana. La letalidad fue de 35 por ciento y se relacionó, principalmente, con la presencia de P. aeruginosa. Conclusión: La principal causa de NAVM en esta experiencia fue SAMR, independiente del momento evolutivo de su ocurrencia.

Características de la enfermedad cerebrovascular en un Servicio de Cuidados Intermedios Neurológicos, en Chile. Análisis de 459 pacientes consecutivos / Cerebrovascular disease in a Neurologic Intermediate Care Unit in Chile. Analysis of 459 consecutive patients

Background: Stroke is the second cause of mortality and the first cause of morbidity in Chile and worldwide. Nowadays there is a major interest in introducing new therapies applying evidence based medicine for these patients. Aim: To describe the clinical profile of patients attended after a stroke, to determine stroke subtypes and their risk factors. Material and methods: Retrospective review of clinical records of 459 patients (mean age 65±48 years, 238 female) that were admitted to our unit during a period of 37 months. Results: Sixty three percent of patients had an ischemic stroke, 14% had an hemorrhagic stroke, 15% had a transient ischemic attack, 2% had a cerebral venous thrombosis and 6% a subarachnoidal hemorrhage. The global mortality was 1%. Seventy percent of patients had a history of high blood pressure. Conclusions: The most common type of stroke is ischemic and high blood pressure is the main risk factor.

Ventilación mecánica en pacientes con patologías agudas del Sistema Nervioso Central: sobrevida y pronóstico funcional / Mechanical ventilation in patients with acute neurological disease: Survival and functional outcome

Background: The need of mechanical ventilation among patients with acute neurological diseases is considered a poor prognostic sign. Aim: To determine the mortality and functional recovery of neurological patients requiring mechanical ventilation. Patients and methods: Prospective study of 77 patients (42 men, age 54±19 years, with 11±4 points of Glasgow coma scale (GCS), 61 percent with cerebrovascular disease), that were admitted to the intensive care unit with neurological disease and that required mechanical ventilation. Functional recovery was assessed at 18 months with Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) and Barthel index. Results: Thirty percent of patients died during follow up. Among surviving patients, 47 percent had a good recovery or moderate disability, and 74 percent had a Barthel index equal to or over 70. Arterial hypertension, age over 70 and mechanical ventilation longer than 6 days were associated with bad functional prognosis. Conclusions: Neurological patients requiring mechanical ventilation had a lower mortality than previously reported, and half of the survivors have an independent life. This study supports intensive care management in this group of patients (Rev Méd Chile 2004; 132: 11-8).

Falla cardio respiratoria severa tratada con asistencia cardiopulmonar extracorpórea: caso clínico / Treatment of severe respiratory failure with cardiopulmonary extracorporeal assistance

Cardiopulmonary extracorporeal assistance is a high complexity procedure for patients with acute respiratory failure, who have failed conventional ventilatory support. A 30 years old female patient with bacterial endocarditis and congestive cardiac failure subjected to cardiac surgery presented severe hypoxemia, right heart failure and pulmonary hypertension, and failed conventional treatment. Cardiopulmonary support with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) reverted the pathophysiologic alterations allowing a successful recovery