Bicarbonato de sodio intravenoso ¿Cuándo, cómo y por qué utilizarlo? / Intravenous sodium bicarbonate. When, how and why to use it?

Severe metabolic acidosis is defined by a pH < 7.2 with HCO3− < 8 mE- q/L in plasma. Its best treatment is to correct the underlying cause. However, acidemia produces multiple complications such as resistance to the action of catecholamines, pulmonary vasoconstriction, impaired cardiovascular function, hyperkalemia, immunological dysregulation, respiratory muscle fatigue, neurological impairment, cellular dysfunction, and finally, it contributes to multisystemic failure. Intravenous NaHCO3 buffers severe acidemia, preventing the associated damage and gains time while the causal disease is corrected. Its indication requires a risk-benefit assessment, considering its complications. These are hypernatremia, hypokalemia, ionic hypocalcemia, rebound alkalosis, and intracellular acidosis. For this reason, therapy must be "adapted" and administered judiciously. The patient will require monitoring with serial evaluation of the internal environment, especially arterial blood gases, plasma electrolytes, and ionized calcium. Isotonic solutions should be preferred instead of hypertonic bicarbonate. The development of hypernatremia must be prevented, calcium must be provided for hypocalcemia to improve cardiovascular function. Furthermore, in mechanically ventilated patients, a respiratory response similar to the one that would develop physiologically, must be established to be able to extract excess CO2 and thus avoid intracellular acidosis. It is possible to estimate the bicarbonate deficit, speed, and volume of its infusion. However, the calculations are only for reference. More important is to start intravenous NaHCO3 when needed, administer it judiciously, manage its side effects, and continue it to a safe goal. In this review we address all the necessary elements to consider in the administration of intravenous NaHCO3, highlighting why it is the best buffer for the management of severe metabolic acidosis.

Nefropatías secundarias a paraproteína: perfil clínico a partir de hallazgos histológicos

Background: One of the devastating consequences of monoclonal gammopathies is the development of end-stage kidney disease, which can be prevented with an early diagnosis. Renal involvement can be secondary to saturation of paraproteins with intratubular precipitation or the glomerular deposition of paraproteins with secondary inflammation and destruction. These conditions can also be associated with monoclonal gammopathies that do not meet hematological treatment criteria, called monoclonal gammopathies of renal significance (MGRS). Aim: To report a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent a renal biopsy and whose final diagnosis was a form of monoclonal gammopathy. Material and Methods: We reviewed the clinical and laboratory features and response to treatment of 22 patients aged 63 ± 12 years (55% women) with a pathological diagnosis of a nephropathy associated with paraproteinemia. Results: The most common hematological diagnosis was amyloidosis in 50% of patients, followed by cast nephropathy. The predominant clinical presentations were proteinuria (without nephrotic syndrome) and nephritic syndrome. Classic criteria such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate > 100 mm/h and protein-albumin gap were unusual. Serum light chain quantification was the test with the best yield to detect paraproteins. Conclusions: In this group of patients, light chains tend to affect the kidney more commonly than heavy chains. The prognosis of multiple myeloma is much worse than MGRS.

Resección endoscópica por tunelización submucosa de un leiomioma de la unión gastroesofágica: reporte de un caso / Submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection of a gastroesophageal junction leiomyoma: report of a case

Resumen Introducción Los tumores submucosos del tracto gastrointestinal alto tienen potencial de malignidad y también pueden ser una carga para el paciente, por lo que se requiere disponer de un tratamiento seguro y eficaz. El surgimiento de la técnica de resección endoscópica por tunelización submucosa (STER) en los últimos años ha mostrado resultados prometedores. Caso clínico Se presenta el caso de un hombre de 47 años asintomático, en quien, en el contexto de un estudio preoperatorio de cirugía bariátrica, se pesquisa una lesión subepitelial en la unión gastroesofágica. La endosonografía alta es compatible con un leiomioma esofágico. Se realiza STER con éxito y sin complicaciones; a las 48 h es dado de alta. El estudio histopatológico confirmó un leiomioma esofágico. Discusión La técnica STER ha demostrado consistentemente ser segura y eficaz en el tratamiento de los tumores submucosos de la unión gastroesofágica. El desafío es difundir la técnica por el resto del país, para mayor beneficio de los pacientes.

Introduction Upper gastrointestinal submucosal tumors are potentially malignant lesions; so safe and efficient treatments are needed. In recent years, submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER) has emerged as a novel therapeutic technique, with promising results. Case report 47-year-old male patient, previously asymptomatic, who was found to have a subepithelial lesion at the gastroesophageal junction. Upper endoscopic ultrasound was compatible with a leiomyoma. He underwent STER to remove the tumor and recovered with any complications. The biopsy confirmed an esophageal leiomyoma. Discussion STER has become a highly feasible and safe therapeutic option for submucosal tumors of the gastroesophageal junction. The challenge is to spread knowledge about this technique, to maximize patient's benefit.