[Inflammatory state in patients with atrial fibrillation before and after electrical cardioversion]. / Estado inflamatorio de los pacientes con fibrilación auricular antes y después de la cardioversión eléctrica.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the inflammatory state in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation and to determine the predictive value in the success of cardioversion and recurrence at 30 days. DESIGN: Prospective observational case-control study. PATIENTS: We included consecutively 49 patients with atrial fibrillation previously to scheduled electrical cardioversion in Coronary Care Unit. Clinical and echocardiographic variables were registered and High-sensivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6 and Tumour Necrosis Factor-alpha were measured. At 30-days follow-up, rhythm and biomarkers were reassessed. As control groups, we recruited 27 healthy volunteers and 16 patients matched for age, gender and cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTS: Median age was 66 +/- 10 years and 38% were women. All the markers were higher in patients than in both control groups (p < 0.05). FNT-alpha and Interleukin-6 levels were higher in non-cardiovertors but only an enlarged atria was related to unsuccessful cardioversion (p = 0.036). High-sensivity C-reactive protein values in the higher cuartile tended to be related to recurrence of persistent atrial fibrillation (p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: There is an increased inflammatory state in patients with atrial fibrillation. FNT-alpha and Interleukin-6 levels were increased in non-cardiovertors, but no biomarker was associated with success of cardioversion or rhythm state at 30-days. However, higher levels of hs-CRP showed a trend to be related to recurrence of atrial fibrillation.

Estado inflamatorio de los pacientes con fibrilación auricular antes y después de la cardioversión eléctrica / Inflammatory condition of patients with atrial fibrillation before and after electrical cardioversion

Objetivo. Evaluar el estado inflamatorio en pacientes con fibrilación auricular persistente, y analizar su influencia en el éxito de la cardioversión y la recurrencia a los 30 días. Diseño. Estudio prospectivo, observacional, de casos y controles. Pacientes. Se incluyeron 49 pacientes consecutivos con fibrilación auricular persistente remitidos a la Unidad Coronaria para cardioversión eléctrica programada. Se registraron las variables clínicas y ecocardiográficas y se determinaron PCR-ultrasensible, IL-1ß, IL-6 y FNTα. A los 30 días se reevaluaron ritmo y biomarcadores. Como grupos control se incluyeron 27 individuos sanos y 16 pacientes emparejados en edad, sexo y antecedentes de riesgo cardiovascular. Resultados. La edad media fue de 66 ± 10 años y el 38% eran mujeres. Todos los biomarcadores analizados fueron más altos en los pacientes con fibrilación auricular que en ambos grupos de control (p < 0,05). Los niveles de IL-6 y FNT-α estaban más elevados en los pacientes que no respondieron a la cardioversión, pero el éxito de la misma sólo se asoció al tamaño de la aurícula izquierda (p = 0,036). Los niveles de PCR-ultrasensible situados en el cuartil superior mostraban una tendencia a asociarse con la recurrencia de la arritmia (p = 0,06). Conclusiones. Existe un estado inflamatorio incrementado en los pacientes con fibrilación auricular persistente. Ningún biomarcador se relacionó significativamente con el éxito de la cardioversión ni con ritmo a los 30 días. Sin embargo, los niveles más elevados de PCR-ultrasensible tendían a relacionarse con la recurrencia de la arritmia

Objective. To assess the inflammatory state in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation and to determine the predictive value in the success of cardioversion and recurrence at 30 days. Design. Prospective observational case-control study. Patients. We included consecutively 49 patients with atrial fibrillation previously to scheduled electrical cardioversion in Coronary Care Unit. Clinical and echocardiographic variables were registered and High-sensivity C-reactive protein, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6 and Tumour Necrosis Factor-alpha were measured. At 30-days follow-up, rhythm and biomarkers were reassessed. As control groups, we recruited 27 healthy volunteers and 16 patients matched for age, gender and cardiovascular risk factors. Results. Median age was 66 ± 10 years and 38% were women. All the markers were higher in patients than in both control groups (p < 0.05). FNT-alpha and Interleukin-6 levels were higher in non-cardiovertors but only an enlarged atria was related to unsuccessful cardioversion (p = 0.036). High-sensivity C-reactive protein values in the higher cuartile tended to be related to recurrence of persistent atrial fibrillation (p = 0.06). Conclusions. There is an increased inflammatory state in patients with atrial fibrillation. FNT-alpha and Interleukin-6 levels were increased in non-cardiovertors, but no biomarker was associated with success of cardioversion or rhythm state at 30-days. However, higher levels of hs-CRP showed a trend to be related to recurrence of atrial fibrillation

[Intermittent asphyxia syndrome caused by a bronchial cast in the subglottic region]. / Síndrome asfíctico intermitente provocado por molde bronquial en zona subglótica.

We report the case of an intensive care unit patient with acute respiratory failure caused by severe community-acquired pneumonia with empyema. She required orotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Following extubation the patient s condition improved until the onset of several choking episodes caused by a dislodged laryngotracheal cast in the subglottic region. We discuss the differential diagnosis of upper airway obstructions and of the entities related to bronchial cast formation, in particular the clinical and pathophysiological features of plastic bronchitis and the treatment options available.

Síndrome asfíctico intermitente provocado por molde bronquial en zona subglótica / Intermittent asphyxia syndrome caused by bronchial cast in the subglottic region

Se presenta el caso de una paciente ingresada en la unidad de cuidados intensivos por insuficiencia respiratoria aguda secundaria a una neumonía comunitaria grave con empiema, que requirió intubación orotraqueal y ventilación mecánica. Tras su extubación cursó con buena evolución hasta presentar varios episodios de crisis asfícticas intermitentes secundarias a una obstrucción por el desplazamiento de un molde laringotraqueal en la zona subglótica. Se discute el diagnóstico diferencial de las obstrucciones respiratorias de la vía aérea superior, así como el de las entidades relacionadas con la formación de moldes bronquiales, con especial atención a las bronquitis plásticas, sus características clínicas, fisiopatológicas y posibilidades terapéuticas

We report the case of an intensive care unit patient with acute respiratory failure caused by severe community-acquired pneumonia with empyema. She required orotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Following extubation the patient´s condition improved until the onset of several choking episodes caused by a dislodged laryngotracheal cast in the subglottic region. We discuss the differential diagnosis of upper airway obstructions and of the entities related to bronchial cast formation, in particular the clinical and pathophysiological features of plastic bronchitis and the treatment options available

[Inflammation study in unstable angina and myocardial infarction without ST segment elevation. Value of ultra-sensitive C-reactive protein]. / Estado inflamatorio en el angor inestable e infarto de miocardio sin elevación del segmento ST. Valor de la proteína C-reactiva ultrasensible.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the inflammatory state in Acute Coronary Syndromes without ST-segment elevation by means of the value of the High-sensitivity C-reactive protein and other markers of inflammation. To assess if there are differences between unstable angina and myocardial infarction and if it has prognostic value of cardiovascular complications during one year follow up. METHODS: 61 patients diagnosed of Acute Coronary Syndrome without ST-segment elevation were studied: mean age of 67 +/- 11 years old, 26% women. The value of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and other inflammatory markers (leukocytes and fibrinogen) were analysed and were compared in those patients with unstable angina versus myocardial infarction without ST elevation. Follow up during one year of cardiovascular complications (death with cardiac origin, infarction, refractory ischemia or rehospitalization because of cardiovascular cause) and its relation with the inflammatory markers. RESULTS: 75% of the patients showed increased levels of High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (> 2 mg/l). 47 patients (77%) were diagnosed of Infarction without ST elevation and the remainders of Unstable Angina. There were no statistically significant differences between subgroups, neither in the median value of the C-reactive protein: 4.49 mg/l in infarction versus 4.5 mg/l in Angina (p = ns) nor in the percentage of patients with high levels of C-reactive protein (77% in infarction versus 71% in Angina). With regard to the other inflammatory markers (fibrinogen and leukocytes) no differences between subgroups were found. None of the inflammatory markers showed predictive value about the appearance of the composite end-point during one year follow up. CONCLUSIONS: The high-sensitivity C-reactive protein is elevated in patients with Acute coronary syndromes without ST-segment elevation, but no difference in the inflammatory state of patients with unstable angina versus myocardial infarction without ST elevation was found. In our series, these markers were not related with the risk of cardiovascular complications.

Estado inflamatorio en el angor inestable e infarto de miocardio sin elevación del segmento ST. Valor de la proteína C-reactiva ultrasensible / Inflammatory state in unstable angina and myocar dial infarction without st segment elevation. Value of high-sensitive C-reactive protein

Objetivos: Analizar el estado inflamatorio en el Síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del segmento ST mediante el valor de la Proteína C-Reactiva Ultrasensible y otros marcadores de inflamación. Determinar si hay diferencias entre la angina inestable y el infarto miocardio y si se relaciona con la aparición de complicaciones cardiovasculares en el seguimiento a un año. Pacientes y métodos: Se estudiaron 61 pacientes diagnosticados de Síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del ST (SCA): edad media 67 ñ 11 años, 26 por ciento mujeres. Se analizó el valor de la Proteína C-reactiva ultrasensible y otros marcadores de inflamación (leucocitos y fibrinógeno) y se compararon pacientes con Angor inestable frente a Infarto agudo de miocardio sin elevación del ST. Seguimiento durante un año de complicaciones cardiovasculares (muerte de origen cardiaco, infarto, isquemia refractaria o rehospitalización por causa cardiovascular) y su relación con los marcadores inflamatorios. Resultados: El 75 por ciento de los pacientes presentaron valores aumentados de Proteína C-reactiva ultrasensible (valor >2 mg/l). 47 pacientes (77 por ciento) fueron diagnosticados de Infarto sin elevación ST y el resto de Angina inestable. No hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre ambos subgrupos respecto al valor de la mediana de la Proteína C-reactiva: 4,49 mg/l en el infarto, frente a 4,50 mg/l en el angor (p= ns) ni tampoco en el porcentaje de pacientes con Proteína C-reactiva elevada (77 por ciento en infarto vs 71 por ciento en angor). Respecto a otros marcadores inflamatorios (leucocitos y fibrinógeno) tampoco encontramos diferencias entre subgrupos. Ninguno de los marcadores inflamatorios fueron predictivos de aparición del evento combinado al año de seguimiento. Conclusiones: La Proteína C-Reactiva ultrasensible se encuentra aumentada en los pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo sin ascenso de ST, sin embargo no encontramos diferencias en el estado inflamatorio de los pacientes con Angina inestable frente al Infarto agudo de miocardio sin elevación del ST. Tampoco, en nuestra serie, estos marcadores mostraron valor predictivo sobre la aparición de eventos cardiacos al año (AU)

Prevalencia y significación pronóstica del síndrome del enfermo eutiroideo en patología crítica / Prevalence and prognostic meaning of euthyroid sick syndrome in critical diseases

Hemos estudiado la prevalencia y significación pronóstica del síndrome del enfermo eutiroideo (SEE) en 91 pacientes ingresados en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) mediante la determinación de hormonas tiroideas libres (FT3 y FT4), T3 inversa (rT3) y hormona tiroestimulante (TSH). La prevalencia del SEE es menor de la esperada, siendo la del SEE tipo I mayor que la del tipo II. La cardiopatía isquémica aguda presenta menor prevalencia de SEE que el resto de patologías estudiadas. Los pacientes críticos que desarrollan el tipo II presentan mayor mortalidad (AU)

[Prevalence and prognosis significance of euthyroid sick syndrome in critical illness]. / Prevalencia y significación pronóstica del síndrome del enfermo eutiroideo en patología crítica.

The prevalence and prognosis of the sick euthyroid syndrome (SES) was studied in 91 patients admitted to the ICU by determining free thyroid hormones (FT3 and FT4), T3 reverse (rT3) and thyrotropin (TSH). The prevalence of SES was lower than expected, type I being higher that type II. The acute coronary syndrome had a lower prevalence of SES than other clinical conditions. Patients who developed type II SES had a higher mortality rate.