Utilización de la estrategia farmacoinvasiva en Argentina. Análisis del registro ARGEN-IAM ST / Use of the Pharmacoinvasive Strategy in Argentina. ARGEN-IAM ST Registry Analysis

RESUMEN Introducción : La angioplastia primaria (ATCp) es el tratamiento de elección para el infarto agudo de miocardio con elevación del segmento ST (IAMCEST). En nuestro país, de tanta extensión territorial y con tiempos a la reperfusión subóptimos, la estrategia farmacoinvasiva (Finv) podría considerarse. Material y métodos : El ARGEN-IAM-ST es un registro prospectivo, multicéntrico, nacional y observacional. Se incluyen pacien tes con IAMCEST dentro de las 36 horas de evolución. Se definió en el mismo la utilización de Finv y las variables asociadas. Resultados : Se analizaron 4788 pacientes de los cuales en el 88,56 % se realizó ATCp, en el 8,46 % trombolíticos con reperfusión positiva (TL+), y solo en un 2,98% Finv. La mediana y rango intercuartílico (RIC) del tiempo total de isquemia fueron menores en aquellos que recibieron TL+ (165 min, RIC 100-269) y los que fueron a Finv (191 min, RIC 100-330) que en aquellos que fueron a ATCp (280 min, RIC 179- 520), p <0,001. No existieron diferencias en mortalidad intrahospitalaria, en el grupo Finv 4,9%, 5,2% en el grupo TL + y en el grupo ATCp 7,8% (p = 0,081). No hubo diferencias en término de sangrados mayores. Se observó que un 57% de los pacientes con TL+ reunían características de alto riesgo, y no recibieron Finv acorde a lo recomendado Conclusiones : Solo 3 de cada 100 pacientes con IAMCEST que se reperfunden reciben Finv. Su implementación no está ligada en forma sistemática al alto riesgo de eventos. Pese a esta subutilización, por presentar un menor tiempo total de isquemia que la ATCp, sin aumento en los sangrados clínicamente relevantes persiste como una opción a considerar en nuestra realidad.

ABSTRACT Background : Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) is the treatment of choice for acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). In Argentina, a country with a large area and suboptimal reperfusion times, the pharmacoinvasive (PI) strategy might be considered. Methods : ARGEN-IAM-ST is a national prospective, multicenter, and observational registry that includes STEMI patients with less than 36 hours of progression. The PI strategy usage and its associated variables were defined. Results : In this registry, 4788 patients were analyzed, of which 88.56% underwent PPCI, 8.46% received thrombolytics with positive reperfusion (TL+), and only 2.98% received PI strategy. Median and interquartile range (IQR) of total ischemia time were lower in patients receiving TL+ (165 min, IQR 100-269) and PI (191 min, IQR 100-330) than in patients undergoing PPCI (280 min, IQR 179-520), p <0.001. No differences in intra-hospital mortality were observed: 4.9% in the PI strategy group, 5.2% in the TL+ group and 7.8% in the PPCI group (p = 0.081). No differences in major bleeding events were observed. It was observed that 57% of the TL+ patients met the criteria for high cardiovascular risk, but they did not receive PI strategy, as recommended. Conclusions : Only 3 out of 100 reperfused STEMI patients received PI strategy. Its administration is not systematically associated to high cardiovascular risk. Despite the under-usage, it remains an option to be considered due to its total ischemia time lower than in the PPCI, with no increase in clinically significant bleedings.

Clinical Efficacy of Piracetam in the Management of Acute Stroke and Post-Stroke Sequelae: An Expert Panel Review and Opinion

Stroke is a major cause of death worldwide. Prompt treatment and decision-making is essential for good outcomes. The two major therapeutic approaches for acute ischemic stroke are thrombolytics and neuroprotectants. Piracetam, a nootropic drug aims to increase cerebral blood flow, enhance oxygen extraction, restore membrane fluidity and modulate neurotransmission. Likewise, citicoline has been shown to positively influence cerebral plasticity and neurorepair processes. The present article aims to offer insights on the current management of acute stroke and to position piracetam and its combination with citicoline in the management of acute stroke and post-stroke sequelae based on an expert panel discussion.

A Case of Spontaneous Spinal Epidural Hematoma Misidentified as a Middle Cerebral Artery Infarction

Spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) is an uncommon cause of spinal cord compression. Early diagnosis and appropriate management are important, however, diagnosis is often difficult due to variable neurologic deficit. We report on the case of a 69-year-old female patient in right hemiparesis. She was treated with thrombolysis therapy for acute cerebral infarction before being transferred to our hospital. Findings on a cervical spine magnetic resonance image showed spinal epidural hematoma and cord compression. She was prepared to undergo decompressive surgery, however, neurologic deficits began to show improvement. She was managed conservatively and was discharged without deficits approximately nine days after onset.

Tratamento da tromboembolia pulmonar grave: [revisão] / Treatment of masive pulmonary embolism: [review]

Introdução. A embolia pulmonar é comum e pode estar associada a morbimortalidades significativas. O tratamento convencional é feito com anticoagulação, porém os trombolíticos têm sido indicados em condições graves com instabilidade hemodinâmica. Objetivo. Revisar o tratamento da tromboembolia pulmonar extensa e comprometimento ventricular direito, associada à instabilidade hemodinâmica. Discutir as evidências no tratamento dessa morbidade, com lesão do ventrículo direito, sem instabilidade hemodinâmica. Discussão. O uso de trombólise em pacientes com tromboembolia pulmonar e instabilidade hemodinâmica está bem estabelecido. Entretanto, há controvérsias sobre sua indicação em pacientes acometidos e disfunção ventricular direita sem instabilidade hemodinâmica persistente. Conclusão. Atualmente, não há evidências que amparem o uso generalizado de trombolíticos em pacientes com quadro agudo e disfunção ventricular direita sem instabilidade hemodinâmica.

Introduction. Pulmonary embolism is a common disease that could be related to significant morbidity and mortality. Anticoagulation is the standard treatment, but thrombolytics have been indicated for the disease with hemodynamic instability. Objective. Review the treatment of pulmonary embolism with hemodynamic instability and discuss the evidences of using thrombolysis for treating pulmonary embolism with right ventricular dysfunction and without hemodynamic instability. Discussion. Thrombolysis is well established for patients with pulmonary embolism and hemodynamic instability. However, indication to use thrombolytics for treating pulmonary embolism with right ventricular dysfunction and without hemodynamic instability is still a doubt. Conclusion. Until now, there is no evidence to support the routine use of thrombolysis for patients with the disease and right ventricular dysfunction, but without hemodynamic instability.

A case of successful treatment of stroke with intracardiac thrombi in a patient with severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome / 대한산부인과학회지

Thromboembolism is a rare complication of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrom (OHSS). According to the numerous reports, it most commonly occurs in upper extremities, head, and neck vein. It is also well known that acute cerebral infarction, once occurred, is mainly caused by the occlusion of large arteries, especially middle cerebral artery (MCA) in most cases. Administration of heparin has been considered as the best treatment option, but many studies have been reporting successful treatment results from administrating thrombolytics in patients with cerebral infarction. Although administration of thrombolytics is invasive and has some potential side effects including bleeding or hematoma, it still has been used for treating patients with cerebral infarction. We report a case of patient with intracardiac thrombi and manifested symptoms of acute cerebral infarction originally caused by OHSS followed by the occlusion of MCA. We administered thrombolytics within one and half hours of showing left hemiparesis caused by the occlusion of right MCA, and identified reperfusion of MCA. There was no evidence of complications associated with the administration of thrombolytics on CT scan, which was taken 24 hours later. Thrombi in IVC, right atrium, and right ventricle were found on chest CT with pleural effusion, but soon were disappeared after administrating heparin anticoagulation. We report this case to show that thrombolytics and anticoagulation can be safely used to treat a patient with cerebral infarction and thrombi caused by OHSS without any side effects or complications.

Efficacy of Femoral Vascular Closure Devices in Patients Treated with Anticoagulant, Abciximab or Thrombolytics during Percutaneous Endovascular Procedures

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the outcomes of using vascular closure devices following percutaneous transfemoral endovascular procedures in the patients who were treated with heparin, abciximab or thrombolytics (urokinase or t-PA) during the procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 28, 2003 to August 31, 2004, we conducted a prospective and randomized study in which 1,676 cases of 1,180 patients were treated with one of the two different closure devices (the collagen plug device was Angio-SealTM; the suture-mediated closure device was The Closer STM) at the femoral access site after instituting percutaneous endovascular procedures. Among the 1,676 cases, 108 cases (the drug group) were treated with heparin only (n = 94), thrombolytics only (n = 10), heparin and thrombolytics (n = 3), or abciximab and thrombolytics (n = 1) during the procedures; 1,568 cases (the no-drug group) were treated without any medication. We compared the efficacy and complications between the two groups. Of the drug group, 42 cases underwent arterial closures with the collagen plug devices and 66 cases underwent arterial closures with the suture-mediated closure devices. We also compared the efficacy and complications between these two groups. RESULTS: The immediate hemostasis rates were 92.9% (1,456/1,568) in the no-drug group and 91.7% (99/108) in the drug group. Early complications occurred in four cases of the drug group. These included two episodes of rebleeding with using the Closer S, which required manual compression for at least 10 minutes, and two episodes of minor oozing with using one Angio-Seal and one Closer S, which required two hours of additional bed rest. There was no late complication. So, the total success rates were 90.8% (1,423/1,568) in the no-drug group and 88.0% (95/108) in the drug group. These results were not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.34). In the drug group, the difference of the successful hemostasis rate between the collagen plug devices and the suture-mediated devices was also not statistically significant (92.9% vs. 84.8%, respectively; p = 0.21). CONCLUSION: Arterial closure of the femoral access site with using vascular closure devices is both safe and effective, even in the patients who received heparin, abciximab or thrombolytics.