Rendimiento diagnóstico de la broncoscopia con biopsia transbronquial en el estudio de lesiones sugerentes de cáncer pulmonar / Bronchoscopy with transbronchial biopsy for the diagnosis of potentially malignant pulmonary lesions: experience in 261 patients

Background: Bronchoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure used for the diagnosis of lung cancer. Aim: To report our experience with bronchoscopy and transbronchial biopsies for the diagnosis of potentially malignant pulmonary lesions. Material and Methods: Revision of electronic records from patients who underwent transbronchial biopsies seeking for lung cancer. The diagnostic yield of the procedure was evaluated using pathology reports or a 24 months follow up. Results: 261 patients were included. Bronchoscopy was diagnostic in 65% of cases. Lesions mean diameter was 51 mm (range 9-120 mm). Diagnostic yield for lesions less than 30 mm was 59%, for lesions less than 35 mm was 61%, and for lesions over 40 mm was 69%. The presence of malignant lesions and their location in the superior or middle lobe were associated with a better predictive value of the procedure. TNM staging was IIIB/IV in 80% of the patient at the time of diagnosis. Conclusions: The diagnostic yield of bronchoscopy is influenced by the etiology and location of lung lesions.

Resultados clínicos de la resincronización ventricular en pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca severa / Results of intraventricular resynchronization in patients with severe cardiac failure

BACKGROUND: Intraventricular resynchronization with pacemakers is a promising therapy for patients with refractory cardiac failure and intraventricular conductions delay. However its long term effects are not well known. AIM: To report the results of this therapy in patients with cardiac failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients (11 male), whose mean age was 68 years, with a severe and refractory cardiac failure, have been treated in our unit using intraventricular resynchronization with pacemakers. Eight had a coronary heart disease and six a dilated myocardiopathy. The pacemaker was implanted transvenously, with conventional stimulation in atrium and right ventricle. The left ventricle was stimulated through an epicardial vein, accessed through the coronary sinus. RESULTS: In one patient the high thresholds did not allow a left ventricular stimulation. In the other 13 patients, a clinical improvement was observed in 11 (85 per cent), that has been sustained for a mean of 8.2 months. The ejection fraction improved form 23.5 to 32.4 per cent (p < 0.001), the 6 min walking test improved from 347 to 437 m (p = 0.003) and the functional capacity changes from 3.3 to 2.7 (p < 0.001). Three patients died during follow up. One was the patient in whom the stimulation failed and two had a sudden death. No complications of the procedure were observed. CONCLUSIONS: In this series, intraventricular resynchronization with pacemakers was effective in 11 of 13 patients, improving functional capacity and ejection fraction. Sudden death could be avoided adding a defibrillator to the pacemaker system.