Recomendaciones para el uso de tromboprofilaxis en pacientes hospitalizados por COVID-19 en la Argentina / Recommendations for the use of thromboprophylaxis in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Argentina

Si bien la incidencia es incierta, algunos reportes de caso sugieren que la infección por COVID 19 se asocia con un aumento del riesgo de tromboembolismo venoso. Sugerimos iniciar tromboprofilaxis a todos los pacientes hospitalizados por síntomas asociados con una infección por COVID-19, a menos que esté contraindicado, con enoxaparina 40 mg SC diariamente si el clearance de creatinina es mayor a 30 ml/min.

Although the incidence is uncertain, some case reports suggest that COVID 19 infection is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism. We suggest starting prophylactic anticoagulant therapy for all patients hospitalized with a symptomatic infection with COVID-19, unless contraindicated, with enoxaparin 40 mg SC daily if creatinine clearance is greater than 30 ml/min.

Recomendaciones actualizadas para profilaxis de la enfermedad tromboembólica venosa en Argentina / Updated recommendations for venous thromboembolic prophylaxis in Argentina

La enfermedad tromboembólica venosa (ETV) en adultos hospitalizados posee elevada morbimortalidad, es origen de complicaciones crónicas y determina incrementos de costos para el sistema de salud. Desde la publicación de recomendaciones de tromboprofilaxis en pacientes internados en 2013, han surgido nuevas alternativas y estrategias, que nos motivaron a actualizar nuestras recomendaciones. A pesar de que existen diferentes consensos y guías de práctica clínica la adherencia a las mismas es subóptima. Se han actualizado las diferentes alternativas terapéuticas para los adultos hospitalizados (clínicos no quirúrgicos, quirúrgicos no ortopédicos, con y sin cáncer, ortopédicos y embarazadas), poniendo particular atención en los fármacos disponibles en Argentina.

Venous thromboembolic disease (VTE) in hospitalized adults has high morbidity and mortality, is the origin of chronic complications and increased cost for the health system. Since the publication of recommendations for thromboprophylaxis in hospitalized patients in 2013, new alternatives and strategies have emerged, which motivated us to update our recommendations. Although there are different consensus and clinical practice guidelines, adherence to them is suboptimal. The different therapeutic alternatives for hospitalized adult patients (non-surgical, surgical non-orthopedic, with and without cancer, orthopedic an d pregnant) have been updated, paying particular attention to the drugs available in Argentina.

Ceguera cortical como manifestación inicial de endocarditis trombótica no bacteriana / Cortical blindness as initial manifestation of nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis

La endocarditis trombótica no bacteriana, antiguamente conocida como endocarditis marántica, es una entidad infrecuente en la que se desarrollan vegetaciones estériles, compuestas por fibrina en las válvulas del corazón. Suele diagnosticarse en el momento de la autopsia o en enfermedades oncológicas avanzadas. Las neoplasias malignas más frecuentemente asociadas con esta entidad son las de pulmón, páncreas, estómago y adenocarcinomas de origen primario desconocido. Es necesario descartar la endocarditis infecciosa y establecer la presencia de vegetaciones valvulares mediante ecocardiografía. Presentamos el caso de una paciente con diagnóstico reciente de adenocarcinoma de estómago en estadio avanzado que presentó ceguera cortical e imágenes compatibles con isquemia cerebral. El ecocardiograma transesofágico mostró dos vegetaciones en válvula mitral. Los hemocultivos fueron negativos. Se enfatiza la importancia de sospechar endocarditis trombótica no bacteriana en enfermos con cáncer y embolismo sistémico.

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis, formerly known as marantic endocarditis, it is an infrequent entity in which sterile, fibrin vegetations develop on heart valve leaflets. It is often diagnosed at the time of autopsy or in late-stage malignancies. The most common malignancies associated with nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis are lung, pancreatic, gastric cancer and adenocarcinomas of an unknown primary site. Diagnosis requires ruling out infective endocarditis and establishing the presence of valvular vegetations using echocardiography. We report the case of a patient with a recent diagnosis of advanced gastric adenocarcinoma who presented with cortical blindness. The computed tomography was compatible with cerebral ischemia. The transoesophageal echocardiogram showed two vegetations in mitral valve. Blood cultures were negative. We emphasize the importance of suspecting nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis in patients with cancer and systemic embolism.

Guía de recomendaciones para la profilaxis de la enfermedad tromboembólica venosa en adultos en la Argentina / Venous thromboembolic prophylaxis: Guidelines for adults in Argentina

La enfermedad tromboembólica venosa (ETV) en adultos posee elevada morbimortalidad y puede asociarse a complicaciones crónicas invalidantes. Sin embargo, la adherencia a estándares de cuidado no es óptima. Se analizó la evidencia disponible en tromboprofilaxis y se generaron recomendaciones (1) o sugerencias (2) con diferentes grados de evidencia (A, B o C) para diferentes escenarios y métodos de tromboprofilaxis. En cirugías ortopédicas mayores se recomienda la profilaxis farmacológica con heparinas de bajo peso molecular, HBPM (1B), fondaparinux, dabigatrán y rivaroxaban (1B) que deben iniciarse durante la internación y mantenerse hasta 35 días después de la cirugía de cadera y hasta 10 días posteriores a la artroplastia de rodilla. La artroscopia de rodilla y la cirugía de columna programada no requieren profilaxis farmacológica (2B) salvo que posean factores de riesgo adicionales, en cuyo caso se recomiendan las HBPM. En pacientes con internación clínica y movilidad reducida esperable mayor a tres días, que posean factores de riesgo adicionales, se recomienda tromboprofilaxis con HBPM, HNF o fondaparinux (1B) hasta el alta. Aquellos pacientes neuroquirúrgicos o con HIC deberán recibir inicialmente tromboprofilaxis mecánica (2C) y dependiendo del caso, iniciar HBPM o HNF entre las 24-72 horas posteriores (2C). Estas últimas dos drogas son recomendadas para pacientes críticos. Los pacientes sometidos a cirugías no ortopédicas con bajo riesgo de ETV deberán realizar deambulación precoz (2C) y tromboprofilaxis mecánica (2C), mientras que aquellos en los que el riesgo de ETV sea elevado deberán recibir HBPM y HNF (1B o 2C según su riesgo de sangrado).

The venous thromboembolic disease (VTD) in adults has a high morbidity and mortality. It can be also associated to disabling chronic conditions. In spite of this, prophylaxis in healthcare assistance is still underused. In this article, the available evidence in thromboprophylaxis was analyzed to offer recommendations (1) or suggestions (2) classified according to different levels of evidence (A, B or C). Different medical scenarios and types of thromboprophylaxis were analyzed. In major orthopedic surgeries low molecular weight heparins, LMWH, inhibitors of the Xa and IIa factors are recommended (1B) to be started during hospitalization and continued for 35 days in hip replacement surgery and for 10 days in total knee replacement surgery. Knee arthroscopy and spine surgery do not require pharmacologic treatment (2B) unless the patient has other risks factors for thrombosis. In such cases, LMWH are recommended. Non-surgical patients who have at least one risk factor should receive LMWH, NFH or fondaparinux (1B) if they are to be bedridden or unable to walk for three or more days. Patients undergoing neurosurgery or with intracranial hemorrhage should receive mechanic prophylaxis (2C), and accordingly they should start LMWH or NFH 24 to 72 hours afterwards (2C). The latter two drugs are recommended for critically ill patients. Patients with low risk for VTD undergoing other type of surgeries should be prescribed with mechanical prophylaxis (2C) and encouraged to walk promptly (2C), while those with high risk should be prescribed with LMWH or NFH (1B or 2C according to bleeding risk factors).

Guía de recomendaciones para la profilaxis de la enfermedad tromboembólica venosa en adultos en la Argentina / [Venous thromboembolic prophylaxis. Guidelines for adults in Argentina].

The venous thromboembolic disease (VTD) in adults has a high morbidity and mortality. It can be also associated to disabling chronic conditions. In spite of this, prophylaxis in healthcare assistance is still underused. In this article, the available evidence in thromboprophylaxis was analyzed to offer recommendations (1) or suggestions (2) classified according to different levels of evidence (A, B or C). Different medical scenarios and types of thromboprophylaxis were analyzed. In major orthopedic surgeries low molecular weight heparins, LMWH, inhibitors of the Xa and IIa factors are recommended (1B) to be started during hospitalization and continued for 35 days in hip replacement surgery and for 10 days in total knee replacement surgery. Knee arthroscopy and spine surgery do not require pharmacologic treatment (2B) unless the patient has other risks factors for thrombosis. In such cases, LMWH are recommended. Non-surgical patients who have at least one risk factor should receive LMWH, NFH or fondaparinux (1B) if they are to be bedridden or unable to walk for three or more days. Patients undergoing neurosurgery or with intracranial hemorrhage should receive mechanic prophylaxis (2C), and accordingly they should start LMWH or NFH 24 to 72 hours afterwards (2C). The latter two drugs are recommended for critically ill patients. Patients with low risk for VTD undergoing other type of surgeries should be prescribed with mechanical prophylaxis (2C) and encouraged to walk promptly (2C), while those with high risk should be prescribed with LMWH or NFH (1B or 2C according to bleeding risk factors).

Enfoque del paciente con fenómeno de Raynaud / Approach to patients with Raynaud's phenomenon

Raynaud's phenomenon is a common disorder with vasospasm of the digital arteries causing pallor with cyanosis and/or rubor. It can be primary (idiopathic), where it is not associated with other diseases, or secondary to several diseases or conditions, including connective tissue diseases, such as scleroderma and systemic lupus erythematosus. Capillaroscopy is the most reliable way to distinguish between primary and secondary Raynaud's phenomenon through identification of an early pattern of systemic sclerosis. Treatment is often non-pharmacological, including avoiding cold and smoking cessation. Calcium channel antagonists are often considered when treatment is needed.

Neutropenia febril, la visión del internista / Clinical approach of febrile neutropenia

The peripheral blood neutrophil is a short-lived cell that survives only about 10 hours, with a half-life of 6.5 hours. Neutropenia as an isolated finding is rare and usually calls attention to itself because of infections. Selective neutropenia results most commonly from suppresed reduction of ganulocytes by certain drugs that may have inherent suppressible properties