Utilidad pronóstica de las cifras ambulatorias de presión arterial en pacientes de edad avanzada con insuficiencia cardíaca. Resultados del estudio DICUMAP / Prognostic value of ambulatory blood pressure values in elderly patients with heart failure. Results of the DICUMAP study

Introducción La monitorización ambulatoria de la presión arterial (MAPA) ha demostrado la utilidad en la evaluación pronóstica de los pacientes hipertensos con insuficiencia cardíaca (IC) con o sin otras enfermedades cardiovasculares. El objetivo de este estudio consistió en determinar si la MAPA puede identificar a pacientes con IC con un peor pronóstico. Métodos y resultados Estudio multicéntrico prospectivo en el que se incluyeron pacientes ambulatorios y clínicamente estables con IC. Todos los pacientes se sometieron a una MAPA. Se incluyó un total de 154 pacientes de 17 centros. La edad media fue de 76,8 años (±8,3) y el 55,2% eran mujeres. En total, el 23,7% presentaba IC con fracción de eyección reducida (IC-FEr), el 68,2% se encontraba en la clase funcional II de la NYHA y el 19,5%, en la clase funcional III de la NYHA. Al cabo de un año de seguimiento se produjeron 13 (8,4%) muertes, 10 de ellas atribuidas a la IC. En 19 de los 29 pacientes que precisaron hospitalización, esta se debió a la IC. La presencia de un patrón no dipper de PA se asoció a un mayor riesgo de reingreso o muerte al año de seguimiento (25% frente al 5%; p=0,024). Según un análisis de regresión de Cox, una clase funcional más avanzada de la NYHA (razón de riesgos instantáneos, 3,51; IC del 95%, 1,70-7,26; p=0,001; comparación entre las clases III y II de la NYHA) y una mayor reducción nocturna proporcional de la PA diastólica (razón de riesgos instantáneos, 0,961; IC del 95%, 0,926-0,997; p=0,032 por cada reducción del 1% de la PA diastólica) se asociaron a muerte o reingreso al cabo de un año de manera independiente. Conclusiones En los pacientes de edad avanzada con IC crónica, un patrón no dipper de PA determinado mediante MAPA se asoció a un mayor riesgo de hospitalización y muerte por IC (AU)

Introduction Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) has demonstrated value in the prognostic assessment of hypertensive patients with heart failure (HF) with or without other cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether ABPM can identify subjects with HF with a worse prognosis. Methods and results Prospective multicenter study that included clinically stable outpatients with HF. All patients underwent ABPM. A total of 154 patients from 17 centers were included. Their mean age was 76.8 years (±8.3) and 55.2% were female. In total, 23.7% had HF with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), 68.2% were in NYHA functional class II, and 19.5% were in NYHA functional class III. At one year of follow up, there were 13 (8.4%) deaths, of which 10 were attributed to HF. Twenty-nine patients required hospitalization, of which 19 were due to HF. The presence of a non-dipper BP pattern was associated with an increased risk for readmission or death at one year of follow-up (25% vs. 5%; p=.024). According to a Cox regression analysis, more advanced NYHA functional class (hazard ratio 3.51; 95%CI 1.70-7.26; p=.001; for NYHA class III vs. II) and a higher proportional nocturnal reduction in diastolic BP (hazard ratio 0.961; 95%CI 0.926-0.997; p=.032 per 1% diastolic BP reduction) were independently associated with death or readmission at one year. Conclusion In older patients with chronic HF, a non-dipper BP pattern measured by ABPM was associated with a higher risk of hospitalization and death due to HF (AU)

Prognostic value of ambulatory blood pressure values in elderly patients with heart failure. Results of the DICUMAP study.

INTRODUCTION: Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) has demonstrated value in the prognostic assessment of hypertensive patients with heart failure (HF) with or without other cardiovascular diseases. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether ABPM can identify subjects with HF with a worse prognosis. METHODS AND RESULTS: Prospective multicenter study that included clinically stable outpatients with HF. All patients underwent ABPM. A total of 154 patients from 17 centers were included. Their mean age was 76.8 years (± 8.3) and 55.2% were female. In total, 23.7% had HF with a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), 68.2% were in NYHA functional class II, and 19.5% were in NYHA functional class III. At one year of follow up, there were 13 (8.4%) deaths, of which 10 were attributed to HF. Twenty-nine patients required hospitalization, of which 19 were due to HF. The presence of a non-dipper BP pattern was associated with an increased risk for readmission or death at one year of follow-up (25% vs. 5%; p=.024). According to a Cox regression analysis, more advanced NYHA functional class (hazard ratio 3.51; 95% CI 1.70-7.26; p=.001; for NYHA class III vs. II) and a higher proportional nocturnal reduction in diastolic BP (hazard ratio 0.961; 95%CI 0.926-0.997; p=.032 per 1% diastolic BP reduction) were independently associated with death or readmission at one year. CONCLUSION: In older patients with chronic HF, a non-dipper BP pattern measured by ABPM was associated with a higher risk of hospitalization and death due to HF.

[Tuberculous retinitis with associated periphlebitis]. / Retinitis por tuberculosis asociada a periflebitis.

CASE REPORT: A female 23 years old, from Equador, was referred to us because of a vision decrease in her left eye. Fundus exploration demonstrated an inflammatory chorioretinal lesion with associated periphlebitis. Serology results showed positive for PPD. A vitreous biopsy was carried out together with tuberculosis prophylactic treatment with isoniacide (300 mg/day); the clinical findings improved. Finally, PCR test was positive for mycobacterium tuberculosis. In consequence, therapeutic treatment for tuberculosis was initiated. DISCUSSION: Due to the current increase in prevalence of tuberculosis, we should always take this into account as a possible etiology when dealing with cases of chorioretinitis.

The value of complement activation products in the assessment of systemic lupus erythematosus flares.

Complement activation products (CAP) have been reported as sensitive markers of disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We have measured seven parameters of the complement system (C3, C4, factor B, C3a, C4a, iC3b, and the terminal complement complex-TCC-) in 61 SLE patients to study their interrelationship and relative efficacy as diagnostic indicators of lupus activity. Disease activity was judged according to a clinical index (SLEDAI) to be active in 22 and inactive in 39 patients. Subjects with active SLE showed increased levels of C3a, C4a, and TCC compared with those of stable lupus and normal controls, and plasma concentrations of these CAP manifested a positive correlation with disease activity scores. However, values of factor B and iC3b did not correlate with lupus flares. Serum C3 levels were a better reflection of the degree of SLE activity than were C4 levels. The anaphylatoxins were extremely sensitive markers of disease activity but they lacked enough specificity, and iC3b was not at all informative for this purpose. On the whole, TCC concentration was the most useful parameter (77% sensitivity, 80% specificity) to monitor lupus activity, correlating the best with the activity scoring system, and thus offers a better laboratory marker of lupus severity than conventional measurements of complement.

Monoclonal gammopathy in systemic lupus erythematosus.

In order to ascertain the incidence of monoclonal gammopathy (MG) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 120 SLE patients were evaluated. Four patients (3.3%), two of whom were under 50 years of age, were found to have a monoclonal immunoglobulin in their serum. Our data agree with the previous literature in demonstrating a higher incidence of MG in SLE patients in comparison with the general population. Neither the clinical importance nor the pathogenetic significance of this association is known.

[Usefulness of cyclosporin in the treatment of pemphigus vulgaris. Apropos of 3 cases]. / Utilidad de la ciclosporina en el tratamiento del pénfigo vulgar. A propósito de 3 casos.

Cyclosporin is a useful drug in several autoimmune diseases. It has been recently evaluated, with varying results, in several dermatoses such as pemphigus vulgaris. Three cases of this condition treated with cyclosporin are reported. The drug permitted to reduce and then to suppress prolonged corticosteroid therapy, and remission was maintained after exacerbation even in monotherapy. Hypertrichosis and gum hypertrophy were the common adverse effects.