Should all patients with pulmonary hypertension undergo HIV serologic testing?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the yield of screening patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of consecutive patients with PH seen at our institution from July 1992 to November 2008. We assessed HIV risk factors and history of HIV. We estimated the proportion of patients who tested positive for HIV. RESULTS: We identified 445 patients with PH who had serologic testing for HIV antibody. The mean age was 63 years, and 66% were women. Of these patients, 224 (50%) were in World Health Organization diagnostic group I, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Only 1 patient (0.2%; 95% confidence interval, 0.0%-1.2%) was positive for HIV, and this was the only patient who had a known history of HIV infection. Ten other patients (2.2%) had risk factors for HIV infection but had negative serologic results. The patient who tested positive for HIV had PAH, yielding an estimated prevalence of positive HIV testing in that subgroup of 0.4% (95% confidence interval, 0.0%-2.5%); 6 other patients with PAH (2.7%) had risk factors for HIV but negative serology. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first study examining the yield of screening patients with PH for HIV using serologic testing. Of the 445 patients tested, only 1 patient was positive for HIV. This patient was known to have risk factors for and exposure to HIV. Patients with PAH should be assessed for risk factors for HIV before testing for HIV in low-risk populations.

Accuracy and precision of three echocardiographic methods for estimating mean pulmonary artery pressure.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertension is defined as resting mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) ≥ 25 mm Hg. MPAP pressure estimation by right-sided heart catheterization (RHC) is considered the gold standard; however, its invasiveness limits repeated and frequent use. The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy and precision of three echocardiographic methods for estimating MPAP. METHODS: We prospectively studied 117 patients with simultaneous RHC and echocardiography. MPAP was calculated by three echocardiographic methods: (1) mean gradient method (adding the right ventricular-right atrial mean systolic gradient to the right atrial pressure), (2) Chemla equation (0.61 × systolic pulmonary artery pressure + 2 mm Hg), and (3) Syyed equation (0.65 × systolic pulmonary artery pressure + 0.55 mm Hg). MPAP calculated by these three methods was compared with that obtained invasively by RHC. RESULTS: The mean ± SD of the differences between invasive MPAP and the three echocardiographic methods were -1.6 ± 7.7 mm Hg for the mean gradient method, -3.7 ± 7.4 mm Hg for the Chemla formula, and -3.2 ± 7.6 mm Hg for the Syyed formula. Median absolute differences were 5.5 mm Hg (mean gradient), 5.7 mm Hg (Chemla; P = .45 vs mean gradient), and 6.0 mm Hg (Syyed; P = .23 vs mean gradient). Accuracy (calculated MPAP within 10 mm Hg of RHC-measured MPAP) was 81% (mean gradient), 77% (Chemla), and 76% (Syyed). CONCLUSIONS: Echocardiographic estimation of MPAP by the mean gradient method had similar accuracy and precision compared with the Chemla and Syyed methods. The acceptable accuracy of these methods suggests that they are equally suitable for clinical use.

Outcomes after liver transplant in patients aged 70 years or older compared with those younger than 60 years.

OBJECTIVE: To compare mortality, graft loss, and postoperative complications after liver transplant in older patients (> or =70 years) with those in younger patients (<60 years). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Outcomes for 42 patients aged 70 years or older who underwent liver transplant were compared with those of 42 matched controls younger than 60 years. All patients underwent transplants between March 19, 1998, and May 7, 2004. Information was collected on patient characteristics, comorbid conditions, laboratory results, donor and operative variables, medical and surgical complications, and mortality and graft loss. RESULTS: Preoperative characteristics were similar across age groups, except for creatinine (P=.01) and serum albumin (P=.03) values, which were higher in older patients, and an earlier year of transplant in younger patients (P<.001). Intraoperatively, older patients required more erythrocyte transfusions (P=.04) and more intraoperative fluids (P=.001) than did younger patients. Postoperatively, bilirubin level (P=.007) and international normalized ratios (P=.01) were lower in older patients, whereas albumin level was higher (P<.001). The median follow-up was 5.1 years (range, 0.1-8.5 years). Compared with younger patients, older patients were not at an increased risk of death (relative risk, 1.00; 95% confidence interval, 0.43-2.31; P>.99) or graft loss (relative risk, 1.17; 95% confidence interval, 0.54-2.52; P=.70). The frequency of other complications did not differ significantly between age groups, although older patients had more cardiovascular complications. CONCLUSION: Five-year mortality and graft loss in older recipients were comparable with those in younger recipients, suggesting that age alone should not exclude older patients from liver transplant.

An alternative echocardiographic method to estimate mean pulmonary artery pressure: diagnostic and clinical implications.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluated an alternative echocardiographic method to calculate mean pulmonary arterial pressure (MPAP). METHODS: One hundred two patients were studied with simultaneous right-heart catheterization (RHC) and echocardiography. MPAP was calculated by adding the right ventricular-right atrial mean systolic gradient to right atrial pressure. RESULTS: The mean difference between MPAP calculated using this method and RHC-derived MPAP was -1.6 mm Hg, less than that of traditional systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (SPAP; -6.4 mm Hg) and MPAP estimated using the pulmonary regurgitation method (-13.9 mm Hg). The median absolute percentage difference of the MPAP calculations relative to RHC was significantly less with this method than with the pulmonary regurgitation method (18% vs 71%; P < .001) and similar to the SPAP method (both 18%; P = .30). CONCLUSION: MPAP calculated using the proposed method is as accurate as SPAP calculation and less variable than previous methods, thus allowing widespread clinical use.

Safety of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy with direct bronchoscopic guidance for solid organ allograft recipients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety of percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) for solid organ allograft recipients, who have increased risks of bleeding and infection. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of patients who underwent solid organ transplant between January 1, 2001, and September 30, 2005, followed by PDT (using the Ciaglia technique) with direct bronchoscopic guidance. We recorded comorbid conditions, number of days from intubation and transplant, positive end-expiratory pressures, ratios of PaO2 to fraction of inspired oxygen, coagulation study findings, complications, and procedure-related mortality rates. RESULTS: Of the 51 patients in our study, 17 had undergone lung transplant; 32, liver transplant; and 2, kidney transplant. The median age was 55 years (range, 27-73), and 53% of patients were men. The median time from intubation to PDT was 10 days and from transplant to PDT, 22 days. The median ratio of PaO2 to fraction of inspired oxygen was 293, and the median positive end-expiratory pressure was 5 cm H2O. Twenty-one patients were receiving dialysis, and 11 were recovering from sepsis (of these, 8 were receiving vasopressors). Ten had coagulopathies (none of which were associated with bleeding complications). Complications were infrequent (7 periprocedural, 4 postprocedural) and included bleeding, bradycardia, hypotension, tracheal ring fracture, and cannula malfunction. Of the bleeding complications, only 2 were clinically remarkable and required removal of the tracheostomy or surgical revision. No infectious complications or procedure-related deaths were noted. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy was tolerated well in recipients of solid organ allografts and had a relatively low risk of major complications and a low procedure-related mortality rate. This method should be considered an acceptable alternative to surgical tracheostomy.

Pulmonary hypertension and thyroid disease.

BACKGROUND: The association between thyroid dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension (PH) has not been well characterized. METHODS: This retrospective study comprised 356 consecutive PH patients seen at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville Pulmonary Hypertension Center from 1992 to 2006 and 698 sex-matched control subjects without PH. Thyroid disease was defined as an abnormal thyroid-stimulating hormone level, with or without an abnormal free or total thyroxine level, a history of thyroid disease on replacement, or an elevated thyroperoxidase antibody level. The main outcome measure was prevalence of thyroid disease in each group. RESULTS: Median age of the 356 PH patients was 65 years; 230 patients (65%) were female. The control group of 698 patients had the same sex ratio and median age of 68 years. Most PH patients had severe PH, as categorized by World Health Organization (WHO) class (74% class 3-4) and pulmonary artery systolic pressure. Among those with PH, 85 patients (24%) had thyroid disease vs 107 control patients (15%). After adjusting for age and sex, the prevalence of thyroid disease was increased in PH patients compared with control patients. Increased prevalence was most prominent in WHO group 1, pulmonary artery hypertension confirmed by right-heart catheterization (odds ratio, 2.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.55 to 4.08; p < 0.001). Most patients had mild thyroid disease and were hypothyroid. Only 14 of 85 patients (16%) had previously undiagnosed thyroid disease. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PH have a higher prevalence of thyroid disease than other pulmonary patients. Evaluation of thyroid function in PH patients may be warranted to detect and assess coexisting thyroid disease.

Retrospective study of pulmonary function tests in patients presenting with isolated reduction in single-breath diffusion capacity: implications for the diagnosis of combined obstructive and restrictive lung disease.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the frequency and spectrum of diseases associated with isolated reduction in the diffusing capacity of lung for carbon monoxide (D(Lco)). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively identified all potentially dyspneic patients who had pulmonary function tests (PFTs) performed at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla, between January 1, 1990, and June 30, 2000, that showed reduced D(Lco) (< 70% of predicted), normal lung volumes (total lung capacity and residual volume > 80% and < 120% of predicted, respectively), and airflow variables (forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity values > 80% of predicted and forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity ratio > 70% of predicted). Only patients who had also undergone chest computed tomography (CT) and echocardiography within 1 month of PFTs were studied. RESULTS: Of the 38,095 patients who underwent PFTs during the study period, 179 (0.47%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.40%-0.54%) had isolated D(Lco) abnormalities. The 27 patients (15.1%; 95% CI, 10.2%-21.2%) who had also undergone chest CT and echocardiography within 1 month of PFTs form the study cohort reported herein. Their mean D(Lco) was 50% +/- 15% (95% CI, 45%-56%) with average normal pulse oxygen saturation at rest and mild hypoxemia with activity. Thirteen of the 27 patients (48%; 95% CI, 28.7%-68.1%) had underlying emphysema evident on CT. Eleven of these 13 patients had emphysema associated with a restrictive lung process. The 14 patients without emphysema had interstitial lung disease, pulmonary vascular disease, and other isolated findings. Six patients with combined emphysema and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis accounted for the largest percentage (22%) of patients with Isolated D(Lco) reduction. The mean +/- SD smoking history of the 27 patients in the study cohort was 36 +/- 33 pack-years (range, 0-116 pack-years). CONCLUSION: Dyspneic patients with respiratory symptoms and normal lung volumes and airflows associated with Isolated reduction in D(Lco) should be evaluated for underlying diseases such as emphysema, with or without a concomitant restrictive process, and pulmonary vascular disease.

Spectrum of pneumonia in the current era of liver transplantation and its effect on survival.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the frequency and microbial pattern of pneumonia and its effect on survival in the current era of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: At the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla, the medical records of consecutive patients who underwent their first OLT between February 1998 and January 2001 were retrospectively reviewed through the end of the first year posttransplantation. RESULTS: Of 401 study patients, 20 developed pneumonia; estimates of incidence with corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) at 1 and 12 months were 3% (1%-5%) and 5% (3%-7%), respectively. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the predominant microorganism identified (in 8 of 14 patients) during the first month after transplantation. Between the second and sixth months, 2 of the 4 cases of pneumonia were due to fungal infections of Aspergillus fumigatus. Cytomegalovirus was associated with Aspergillus in 1 patient. No other viral or Pneumocystis carnil pneumonia was diagnosed. There were only 2 cases of pneumonia between 7 months and 1 year after transplantation, neither of which was fungal. Approximately 40% (95% CI, 14%-58%) of patients with pneumonia died within 1 month after diagnosis. The relative risk of mortality in the first month after onset of pneumonia was estimated to be 24 (95% CI, 10-54), which is strong evidence of increased risk of mortality with pneumonia (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pneumonia appears to occur less often after OLT than previously reported but still has a substantial negative effect on survival. In the early period after OLT, P. aeruginosa continues to be the predominant organism causing pneumonia.

Clinical relevance of time of onset, duration, and type of pulmonary edema after liver transplantation.

We investigated the clinical significance of time of onset, duration, and type of pulmonary edema after orthotopic liver transplantation by retrospectively reviewing 93 consecutive recipients. Pulmonary edema was diagnosed by means of radiographic criteria and Pao(2)/Fio(2) ratio <300. Type was identified by pulmonary artery wedge pressure (hydrostatic, >18 mm Hg; permeability, < or =18 mm Hg). Of 91 evaluable patients, 44 (48%) had no pulmonary edema, 23 (25%) had immediate pulmonary edema resolving within 24 hours, 8 (9%) had late pulmonary edema (developing de novo in the first 16 to 24 hours), and 16 (18%) had persistent pulmonary edema (developing immediately and persisting for at least 16 hours). At 16 to 24 hours, mean arterial pressure was lower with persistent permeability-type edema than without pulmonary edema (75 versus 87 mm Hg, P <.01). Patients with persistent permeability-type edema had higher mean pulmonary arterial pressure (23 versus 16 mm Hg, P <.01) and higher pulmonary vascular resistance (103 versus 53 dyn. second. m(-5), P <.05), consistent with a resistance-dependent mechanism. Patients with persistent hydrostatic-type edema did not differ from those without edema in mean arterial pressure (84 versus 87 mm Hg, P >.05) or pulmonary vascular resistance (67 versus 53 dyn. second. m(-5), P >.05), but had increased mean pulmonary arterial pressure (27 versus 16, P <.01), suggesting a flow volume-dependent mechanism. Duration of mechanical ventilation, intensive care, and hospital stay were prolonged in patients with late or persistent permeability-type edema but not in patients with immediate pulmonary edema of any type. In conclusion, immediate pulmonary edema resolving within 24 hours after liver transplantation had little clinical consequence; persistent permeability-type pulmonary edema portended a worse outcome.

Evaluacion de la funcion de oxigenacion pulmonar: analisis de 6 indices descritos en la literatura / Evaluation of function of pulmonary oxigenation

Mediante el análisis de 673 pares de muestras sanguíneas (arterial y venosa), se efectuó una evaluación de 5 índices de función pulmonar descritas en la literatura médica, comparándola con el Shunt intrapulmonar calculado Qs/Qt), aceptado como patrón de referencia. De los 5 índices analizados, el índice de ventilación perfusión (VQI) correlacionó muy cercanamente co el patrón Qs/Qt (R = 0.94). Los restantes 4 índices muestran una mayor dispersión (R > 0.7<0.8) y por lo tanto no pueden considerarse como sustitutos del Qs/Qt Sin embargo la correlación obtenida si permite su utilización como índices alternos de menos complejidad. De éstos, la PaO2-FiO2, se constituye como el de "mayor beneficio con menor costo" y por lo tanto se recomienda su uso rutinario

Purpura trombocitopenica idiopatica en pacientes tratados en el Hospital San Juan de Dios, Bogota (1980-1985) / Idiopatic thrombocytopenic purpura in patientes treated in Hospital San Juan de Dios, Bogota (1980-1985)

Se revisaron todas las historias con diagnostico de prupura trombocitopenica idiopatica (PTI), de los pacientes que ingresaron al hospital San Juan de Dios de la ciudad de Bogota, durante el periodo comprendido entre el 1 de enero de 1980 y el 31 de diciembre de 1985; con el fin de identificar la forma de presentacion, incidencia, factores pronosticos y respuesta al tratamiento. Se encontraron 54 historias con diagnostico de PTI de las cuales 32 reunian los criterios establecidos para ser5 incluidas en el trabajo; 22 (68%) eran mujeres y 10 (31.5%) hombres. La edad promedio en las mujeres fue de 26.2 anos y de 27.7 para los hombres. Se encontraron antecedentes importantes en 11 pacientes. Los motivos de consulta mas comunes fueron: petequias 100%, equimosis 68.7%, gingivorragia 50% y epistaxis 53.1%. De los 32 pacientes hospitalizados, 4 (12.5%) mejoraron espontaneamente, 17 (60.7%) mejoraron al tratamiento con prednisona, 11 (39.3%) no respondieron a dicho tratamiento. a 7 de estos pacientes se les practico esplenectomia, 5 de los cuales habia recibido prednisona y azatioprina y 2 solamente prednisona. Todos mejoraron. Con base en estas observaciones se propone la realizacion de un estudio prospectivo en nuestro hospital, utilizando como modalidades terapeuticas: 1) corticoterapia, si no hay remision o se presentan exacerbaciones por mas de 6 meses estaria indicada la esplenectomia y por ultimo el uso de inmunosupresores en quienes sean refractarios a las 2 modalidades terapeuticas anteriores