Reoperaciones coronarias: análisis retrospectivo de 16 años de experiencia / Coronary artery bypass grafting reoperation: a 16 years retrospective analysis

Background: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) reoperation is being performed with increasing frequency. Aim: To assess the early and long term results of coronary reoperations in our institution and to identify prognostic factors. Patients and methods: 214 patients subjected to coronary reoperations between 1983 and 1999 were retrospectively studied. Results: Mean age was 64.2 years (range 42-79 years), 202 (94.4 per cent) were male and 12 (5.6 per cent) female. The mean interval between the operations was 125.7 months (range 6-252 months). 10 (4,6 per cent) were emergency surgeries. Overall operative mortality was 5.6 per cent (11 deaths) and in 5 patients (3.4 per cent) a perioperative myocardial infarction was noted. Univariate analysis identified moderate or severe left ventricular failure (p=0.048) as predictor of increased operative mortality, meanwhile age over 75 years (p=0.02) and moderate or severe left ventricular failure (p=0.01) were identified as predictors of increased in hospital mortality in the multivariate analysis. Follow up of in hospital survivors (mean interval 65 months, range 4 to 190 months) documented a 5 years survival rate of 82.9 per cent, a 10 years survival rate of 73.1 per cent and a 15 years survival rate of 53.4 per cent. Moderate or severe left ventricular failure (p <0.0001) and emergency surgeries (p=0.007) were identified as factors influencing the late survival in the stepwise logistical regression analysis. Multivariate analysis identified left ventricular failure (p=0.01) and peripheral vascular disease (p=0.01) as predictors of decreased late survival. Conclusions: Coronary reoperation has a low mortality in patients with a normal ventricular function and also has an excellent overall and disease free survival in the first 10 years of follow up. Left ventricular function is an independent risk factor increasing in hospital and late mortality

La hiperuricemia es un marcador del umbral anaeróbico en la insuficiencia cardíaca crónica / Hyperuricemia is a marker for anaerobic threshold in chronic cardiac failure

Background: Patients with chronic cardiac failure often have elevated plasma uric acid levels, that are associated to a dismal prognosis. Aim: To investigate possible metabolic mechanisms to explain elevated uric acid levels in these patients. Patients and methods: Eighteen patients with chronic cardiac failure aged 61 ñ 10 years old, without gout or renal failure and not using high doses of diuretics (equal or less than 80 mg/day furosemide or 50 mg/day hydrochlorothiazide) were studied. Plasma uric acid levels were correlated with anaerobic threshold, maximal oxygen uptake, plasma noradrenaline and creatinine and left ventricular ejection fraction, measured radioisotopically. Results: Mean maximal oxygen uptake was 16.6 ñ 4.2 ml/kg/min. There was a negative correlation between uric acid levels and maximal oxygen uptake or maximal oxygen uptake/body surface area (r=0.521 and -0.533 respectively, p<0.05). Patients with uric acid levels over 7 mg/dl had a lower anaerobic threshold than patients with lower levels (9.81 ñ 2.41 and 13.08 ñ 3.28 ml/kg/min respectively, p<0.05). No significant differences in maximal oxygen uptake were observed in these two groups of patients (15.5 ñ 4.24 and 18.08 ñ 3.86 ml/kg/min respectively). Uric acid levels did not correlate with plasma noradrenaline, creatinine or lefi ventricular ejection fraction. Conclusions: These results suggest that a defect in cellular oxygenation contributes to the elevation of plasma uric acid levels in patients with chronic cardiac failure

Tratamiento de la insuficiencia cardíaca avanzada mediante trasplante de corazón / Heart transplantation as a treatment for advanced heart failure

Background: Heart transplantation currently provides the most effective treatment for advanced heart failure. However, medical therapy for this condition has also improved, heart donors are scarce and the cost of the procedure is high. Therefore the indications and management of these patients need reevaluation. Aim: To analyze the results of 24 patients submitted to heart transplantation for end-stage heart failure needing repeated hospitalizations and i.v. inotropes for compensation. Patients and methods: The group was comprised by 21 men and 3 women with a mean age of 36.8 years, mean left ventricular ejection fraction 19ñ4.5 percent, mean systolic pulmonary artery pressure 48ñ13 mmHg (24-70) and mean pulmonary vascular resistance 2.6 Wood Units (1-5). Fourteen patients (58 percent) had a previous median sternotomy. Immunosupression did not include induction therapy and steroids were discontinued early...

Rechazo humoral en transplante cardíaco: comunicación de dos casos / Humoral rejection in heart transplantation: report of 2 cases

Heart transplantation is a therapeutic alternative for selected patients with refractory heart failure. Acute allograft rejection is one of the main causes of early death after transplantation. The cellular rejection is characterized by cellular infiltrates with or without miocyte necrosis. However, some patients develop left ventricular dysfunction due to rejection without evidence of cellular infiltration. In these patients, the rejection is mediated by antibodies and complement. Humoral rejection is a relative rare but potentially fatal form of acute allograft rejection. We report two patients with left ventricular dysfunction secondary to humoral rejection, shortly after cardiac transplantation. Both patients were treated with methylprednisolone, and azathioprine was substituted by cyclophosphamide. One patient underwent plasmapheresis. The clinical outcome was satisfactory and the left ventricular function returned to normal in both cases. The diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for the management of humoral rejection are reviewed

Hipertensión pulmonar e infección por VIH: comunicación de un caso / Pulmonary hypertension and HIV infection: 1 case report

Pulmonary hypertension associated to HIV infection has been reported in the literature with increased frequency. Apparently, this condition has a faster clinical evolution and a higher mortality than primary pulmonary hypertension. The pathogenic mechanisms of HIV associated pulmonary hypertension and the influence of its treatment on patientÕs evolution are not well known. We report a 32 years old homosexual male that developed a severe dyspnea in a period of 2 months. Echocardiogram demonstrated right ventricular dilatation and a systolic pulmonary artery pressure of 86 mm Hg. No other causes for pulmonary hypertension were found. Antiviral therapy and vasodilator treatment with a calcium channel blocker were started and the patient had an important subjective clinical improvement

Solución GIK en el infarto agudo al miocardio: el resurgimiento de una antigua terapia / Glucose-insulin-K solution for acute myocardial infarction: rebirth of an old form of therapy

La terapia con solución de glucosa insulina y potasio en el infarto o solución GIK fue inicialmente utilizada por Sodi-Pallares. Desde entonces muchos trabajos con esta solución han sido publicados con resultados disímiles. Sin embargo el resultado de un meta-análisis reciente, que incluye sólo trabajos randomizados con dosis adecuadas de GIK, parece confirmar la disminución de la mortalidad asociada a solución GIK. Para comprender mejor los fundamentos y posibles mecanismos de beneficio con el empleo de la solución GIK en el infarto del miocardio, revisaremos primero el metabolismo miocárdico normal y en condiciones de isquemia, luego el daño por reperfusión post infarto y los efectos de la solución GIK en el miocardio. Por último, analizaremos las experiencias clínicas publicadas con esta terapia

Predictores de rehospitalización en pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca congestiva / Predictors of readmission in patients with congestive heart failure

Repeated hospitalizations among patients (pts) with congestive heart failure (CHF) are common. Purpose: This retrospective study was designed to determine predictors of readmission. Methods: Inclusion criteria: admitted to University Hospital with a primary diagnosis of CHF between 10/1/94-9/30/95: lived in Jefferson county. Exclusions: cardiac transplant during study period; major comorbidity (e.g. malignancy, advanced renal failure). Predictors of readmission were determined by stepwise logistic regression analysis and predictor of time to readmission with Cox Proportionate Hazards modeling p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Mean age of the 237 pts was 66.5 yrs; 56 percent women. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 29 percent; 96 percent were in NYHA Class III/IV. Mean length of stay was 5 days; 52 pts (22 percent) had >1 admission. CHF etiologies: Ischemic (42 percent), hypertensive (37 percent), idiopathic (12 percent). Demographic characteristics and insurance status did not predict readmission risk. Predictors of readmission in the logistic and Cox models were similar. Increased risk of readmission was associated with myocardial ischemia (logistic OR 42.7), past NYHA Class III and IV (OR 32.8), plasmatic creatinine at discharge (OR 1.9) and continued smoking (OR 3.26). History of CABG was associated with a decreased risk of rehospitalization (OR 0.12). Beta-blocker use was associated with decreased risk, but did not achieve statistical significance. ACE-I use (prescribed in 78 percent of pts), did not contribute to the model. Diabetes Mellitus and a lower LVEF were more frequent in the readmitted group, but they did not predict readmission. Conclusion: CHF pts who have evidence of ischemia, advanced symptoms, renal dysfunction, and who continue to smoke are at increased risk for hospital readmission. Pts with these characteristics should be identified prior to hospital discharge and considered for intensive outpatient intervention

Predictores de sobrevida en pacientes con hipertensión pulmonar primaria tratados con prostaciclina / Survival predictors in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension treated with prostacyclin

El tratamiento con prostaciclina en la hipertensión pulmonar primaria (HPP) se ha asociado a una disminución de la mortalidad, resultando en una alternativa terapéutica o como soporte previo al trasplante. Objetivo: determinar predictores clínicos o hemodinámicos de sobrevida en pacientes con HPP tratados con prostaciclina. Métodos: 57 pacientes consecutivos con diagnóstico de HPP evaluados en la Universidad de Alabama, período marzo 92-julio 97. Todos ellos tratados con infusión intravenosa continua de prostaciclína durante 19 meses (2-60), la dosis máxima fue 87 ñ 60 ng/kg/min. Para variables categóricas se utilizó test de Fisher y chi2, t test para variables continuas, y método de regresión logística para análisis multivariado. Se presentan los promedios ñ desviación standard p<0,05 fue considerado significativo. Resultados: edad 39 ñ 15 años, 48 pacientes sexo femenino, 41 pacientes en capacidad funcional IV (72 por ciento). Al final del seguimiento la capacidad funcional mejoró de 3,6 ñ 0, 4 a 3,16 ñ 0,7, p=0,0001, la fracción de eyeccíón ventricular derecha de 29 ñ 14 a 34:ñ 15 por ciento, p=0,0001, la presión sístólica de arteria pulmonar disminuyó de 86 ñ 20 mmHg a 76 ñ 23 mmHg, la resistencia vascular pulmonar de 1038 ñ 581 a 658 ñ 462 dinas/seg/cm-5, p=0,0001 con aumentos del índice cardíaco de 2,17 ñ 0,6 a 3,4 ñ 1,3 It/min/m2, p=0,006. La sobrevida fue de un 53 por ciento (n=30), 5 pacientes tuvieron doble trasplante pulmonar. En el análisis multivariado una capacidad funcional más deteriorada en la evaluación basal fue predictor independiente de mortalidad (OR=60, IC=3-1118), y la mejoría de la capacidad funcional predijo una mayor sobrevida (OR=0,21, IC=0,06-0,8). Estos hallazgos se correlacionaron con disminución de la presión sistólica de arteria pulmonar. Conclusión: nuestros resultados confirman la mejoría funcional y hemodinámica de los pacientes con HPP tratados con prostaciclína, sin embargo la mortalidad continúa siendo elevada. Una mejorcapacidad funcional al inicio de la terapia y una mejoría de ésta fueron asociadas a una mayor sobrevida. Pacientes con síntomas avanzados o refractarios debieran ser evaluados para trasplante

Ramipril vs espironolactona en el remodelamiento ventricular izquierdo post-infarto: estudio randomizado y doble ciego / Ramipril vs spironolactone in the left ventricular remodeling after infarction: randomized and double blind study

Patients and methods: Patients hospitalized for a first episode of acute myocardial infartion were blindly and randomly assigned to receive ramipril (2.5 mg bid), spironolactone (25 mg bid) or placebo. Ejection fraction, left ventricular en diastolic and end systolic volumes were measured by multigated radionuclide angiography, at baseline and after six months of treatment. Results: Twenty four patients were assigned to placebo, 31 to ramipril and 23 to spironolactone. Age, gender; Killip class, treatment with thrombolytics, revascularization procedures and use of additional medications were similar in the three groups. After six months of treatment, efection fraction increased from 34,5 ñ 2,3 to 4,2 ñ 2,4 percent in patients on ramipril, from 32,6 ñ 2,9 to 36,6 ñ 2,7 percent in patients on spironolactone, and decreased from 37 ñ 3 to 31 ñ 3 in patients on placebo (ANOVA between gropus p < 0.05). Basal end systolic volumen was similar in all three gropus, increased from 43,4 ñ 3,4 to 61,4 ñ 6,0 ml/m2 in patients on placebo and did not change in patients on spironolactone or ramipril (ANOVA p < 0.05). End diastolic volume was also similar in the three groups, increased from 70,6 ñ 4,3 to 92,8 ñ 6,4 ml/m2 in patients on placebo and did no change with the other treatments. Conclusions: Ramipril and spironolactone had similar effects on ventricular remodeling after acute myocardial infaction, suggesting that aldosterone contributes to this phenomenon and that inhibition of its receptor may be as effective as ACE inhibition in its prevention

Valor pronóstico de los índices no invasivos de reperfusión coronaria en pacientes con infarto agudo del miocardio tratados con trombólisis / Prognostic value of non invasive indexes of coronary reperfusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with trombolysis

In 807 consecutive patients from the Chilean National Registry of Acute Myocardial Infarction we analyzed the resolution of chest pain and ST segment elevation over 50 percent within the first 90 min, abrupt CK rise within 8 h and T wave inversion in infarct related EKG leads within the first 24 h after thrombolysis. Global in-hospital mortality was 12.1 percent. Mortality of patients with the presence of 3 or 4 markers of coronary artery patency was 5.1 percent, in those with resolution of ST elevation and abrupt CK rise was 6.25 percent and in those with T wave inversion it was 3.9 percent (p<0.001). Multivariate analysis, adjusted by age, gender, risk factors, Killip class and infarct location showed that early T wave inversion was the better predictor of a low in-hospital mortality and its combination with other markers of coronary artery patency did not increase its prognostic power. Early CK rise and the presence of 3 out of 4 reperfusion criteria were also independent predictors of a low mortality. Non invasive markers of coronary artery patency are associated with a lower in-hospital mortality and may serve as surrogate end points in clinical trials

Edema pulmonar no-cardiogénico relacionado con la hidroclorotiazida / Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema related to hidrochlorothiazide

A 54 years old female patient with a mitral valve prolapse and a rheumatic arthritis with steroids was admitted with dysnea and hypotension, that started 30 min after taking a pill containing enapril and hydroclorothiazide. Hemodynamic monitoring with a Swan-Ganz catheter showed a pulmonary capillary pressure of 5 mm Hg, a systemic vascular resistance of 887 (dyn sec)/cm5 and a cardiac output of 10 1/min. Tha patient had a history of adverse reactions to thiazides and responded to volume replacement, dopamine and steroids

Complicaciones del tratamiento trombolítico en pacientes con infacto del miocardio / Complications of thrombolytic therapy in patients with myocardial infarction

Analizamos en forma retrospectiva las complicaciones del tratamiento trombolítico observadas en 221 pacientes (pts) conseutivos con infarto del miocardio (IAM) y que fueron tratados con estreptoquinasa por vía sistémica (STK) dentro de las primeras 6 horas de evolución. La edad promedio fue de 61,5 años, la distribución por sexo H/M fue de 77/23 por ciento, la localización del IAM fue anterior en 49,5 por ciento e inferior en 51,5 por ciento, el tiempo promedio de inicio de tratamiento en relación al inicio de síntomas fue de 3,4 horas. En 37 pts (18 por ciento) se administró STK 1.000.000 de UI, en 46 pts (22 por ciento) STK 1.250.000 UI y en 128 pts (60,7 por ciento) 1.500.000 UI en un plazo de 30 minutos asociado con aspirina vía oral y seguida de heparina endovenosa. Las complicaciones por tratamiento con STK se calificaron en mayores (hipotensión severa que requirió drogas vasoactivas, shock anafiláctico, arritmias con compromiso hemodinámico y hemorragia cerebral) y menores (reacciones alérgicas locales, sangramiento en sitios de punción, hemorragia gastrointestinal u otra que no necesitará de transfusión). Se observaron complicaciones en 90 de los 221 pts (41 por ciento) tratados con STK: a) Mayores: hipotensión 15 por ciento, arritmias 7,2 por ciento, BAVC complicado 2 por ciento, shock anafiláctico 0,4 por ciento y hemorragia cerebral 0,9 por ciento. Menores: alergias 8,1 por ciento, braquidiarritmias 9,0 por ciento, hemorragia gastrointestinal 3 por ciento, equinosis 0,4 por ciento. No se observaron diferencias en cuanto a la presencia o ausencia de complicaciones según tiempo de evolución, dosis de STK administrada y localización de IAM. La mortalidad a las 48 horas post procedimiento tuvo una incidencia del 7,7 por ciento del total de pacientes y fue significativamente mayor en mujeres (p< 0,001) y en pacientes mayores de 75 años (p< 0,0001). De todas las complicaciones observadas, la más frecuente fue la hipotensión severa, que obligó al empleo de drogas vasoactivas y fue independiente de la dosis de STK. La incidencia de complicaciones registradas por administración de STK en el IAM es semejante a la reportada en la literatura

Evolución intrahospitalaria del infarto agudo del miocardio: importancia de las medidas terapéuticas de reperfusión precoz / Intrahospitalary evolution of the myocardial acute infarction: importance of the therapeutical actions on early reperfusion

Reperfusion therapy has contributed to decreased morbidity and mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Implementation of thrombolytic therapy, primary angioplasty and emergency coronary artery by-pass surgery have proved to be effective in well designed controlled clinical trials. There is little information, however about the impact of reperfusion therapy in the general clinical population that is usually seen in the coronary care unit. In this paper we have compared the clinical course, morbidity and mortality of patients attended for a first AMI in 2 different periods. Multivariate analysis showed that age and heart failure were significant independent predictors of mortality in both periods. Thus, there has been a significant change in the therapeutic approach to AMI patients in recent years. Widespread utilization of reperfusion therapy appears to be associated with decrease in morbidity and mortality in a general population of patients with a first AMI

Diltiazem versus nitroglicerina por vía endovenosa en el tratamiento de la angina inestable: estudio randomizado / Diltiazem versus nitroglycerin by endovenous way in the treatment of unstable angina: randomized study

Prognosis of unstable angina pectoris is related to admission EKG changes and prompt symptoms control. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical effects of intravenous diltiazem (DTZ) or nitroglycerin (NTG) in patients with unstable angina pectoris. We studied 43 patients admitted to the hospital with a history of rest angina within the last 48 hours, associated with EKG evidence of ischemia. All subjects received intravenous heparin and oral aspirin, 23 were randomly assigned to receive intravenous DTZ and 20 to recieve intravenous NTG. Both groups had similar baseline features and the endpoints of treatment were recurrence of angina, myocardial infarction, death during hospitalization and secondary side effects. Treatment with DTZ, when compared to NTG, resulted in a significant reduction of recurrent angina (8.7 and 59 percent respectively; p<0.05), number of angina episodes per patient (0.18ñ0.5 and 0.9ñ1.2 respectively; p<0.05) and lower need for dose increment to control symptoms (3 and 9 patients respectively; p<0.05). The most common side effects observed were cephalea with NTG (60 percent of patients) and asymptomatic sinus bradicardia with DTZ (28 percent of patients). In each group, one patient had a myocardial infarction and one patient died. It is concluded that intravenous DTZ reduces myocardial ischemia to a greater extent than NTG and can be safely used in patients with unstable angina pectoris

Características clínicas y seguimiento alejado de pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca durante infarto del miocardio: factores pronósticos de mortalidad / Clinical features and follow up of patients with heart failure during myocardial infarction: predictor factors of mortality

La insuficiencia cardiaca constituye unfactor de riesgo de mayormortalidad intrahospitalaria en pacientes con infarto agudo del miocardio (IAM). En el presente trabajo analizamos retrospectivamente las características clínicas y evolución alejada de pacientes que presentan congestión pulmonar durante la fase aguda del IAM y los comparamos con los que no presentaron esa complicación. Para ello utilizamos un abase de datos de 518 pacientes consecutivos con IAM, 309 de los cuales no presentaron congestión pulmonar (Grupo I, edad promedio 61 ñ 11 años) y 209 que deasrrollaron insuficiencia cardiaca Killip II oIII (Grupo II, edad promedio 63 ñ 11 años). Las siguientes características fueron significativamente diferentes entre ambos grupos (Grupo II vs Grupo I, p<0,01). Mortalidad a 30 días 17,4 vs 4,7 por ciento localización anterior del IAM 62 vs 52 por ciento , IAM transmural 83 vs 76 por ciento ; arritmias ventriculares 24,4 vs 12,5 por ciento . En la evolución alejada (promedio 44 meses) los pacienets del Grupo II tuvieron mayor mortalidad (25,9 vs 6,8 por ciento , p<0,01) al año post IAM y a los cinco años de seguimiento (34,9 vs 12,9 por ciento , p<0,01). Confirmamos así que los pacientes que presentan congestión pulmonar durante el curso de un IAM tienen una mayor morbimortalidad tanto precoz como tardía y ello se relaciona con mayor incidencia de IAM anterior y de tipo transmural

La inversión precoz de la onda T en el electrocardiograma contribuye a predecir permeabilidad coronaria post trombolisis en el infarto agudo al miocardio / Early T wave inversion in electrocardiogram is a significant predictor of late coronary artery patency after thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarction

En el IAM los criterios de clásicos de reperfusión son la disminución del dolor, la reducción del supradesnivel del ST, las arritmias de reperfusión y la elevación precoz de CPK. Sin embargo, el valor predictivo de ellos es bajo. Evaluamos si la inversión precoz de la onda T (* 24 hrs) en (* 2) derivaciones ECGs contiguas contribuye a predecir permeabilidad de la arteria coronaria del área infartada. Analizamos 60 pacientes consecutivos con IAM y trombólisis sistémica, 33 pts. con IAM anterior y 27 con IAM inferior, estudiados con coronariografía dentro de 5 días de evolución del IAM. La arteria coronaria se encontró permeable en 40 pts. (66,6%) y obstruida en 20 pts. (33,3%). En el análisis univariado los criterios se asociaron a reperfusión fueron la inversión precoz de la onda T (p < 0,001), la reducción del supradesnivel de ST (p = 0,01) y la elevación precoz de CPK (p = 0,015). En el análisis multivariado mediante regresión logística paso a paso sólo la inversión precoz de la onda T fue significativa para predecir permeabilidad de la arteria coronaria del IAM. Concluimos que la inversión precoz de la onda T contribuye a predecir permeabilidad de la arteria coronaria post trombólisis sistémica