[A mid-term clinical and hemodynamic evaluation of the Wessex and Hancock II bioprostheses]. / Valoración clínica y hemodinámica a medio plazo de las bioprótesis de Wessex y Hancock II.

The purpose of this study is to compare clinically and hemodynamically the Wessex and Hancock II porcine bioprostheses. We compared functional class and data from echo-Doppler in 34 Wessex bioprostheses (group A) with those in 42 Hancock II bioprostheses (group B). We subdivided group A into A1 and A2. A1 was made up of 23 Wessex manufactured since 1986. A2 constituted 11 Wessex made before 1986 which belonged to a series with some variations in the manufacturing process, and in which some early dysfunctions have been described. We compared data from these sub-groups between each other as well as with those of group B. The groups were homogeneous in age, sex, patients body surface and the time elapsed since the prosthetic implant. The mean mitral gradient, the mitral area, the peak aortic gradient and the regurgitation incidence were similar in groups A and B. In A2 the mean mitral gradient was significantly superior to that of group B (7.1 +/- 1.1 mmHg vs 5.4 +/- 1.4 mmHg; p less than 0.01), and the mitral area showed a tendency to be inferior, although with no statistical significance. The functional class of the patients was similar in all the groups. We conclude that the Wessex bioprosthesis presents hemodynamic data and functional class similar to those of the Hancock II, with the exception of a sub-group of Wessex manufactured before 1986 which presents mean mitral gradients superior to the others and which would warrant further studies.

[Nuptiality during the 1980s in Cuba]. / La nupcialidad durante la decada de los ochenta en Cuba.

"This study presents an analysis of the demographic characteristics, levels and tendencies followed by Cuban nuptiality during the 1980s. The author uses the data provided by the 1987... National Survey on Human Fertility and data recorded in the last Cuban census, taken in 1981, to evaluate the changes experienced by women of fertile age of various marital status--primarily those in legal marriage and consensual unions--, highlighting the differences between the two [and]...analyzing the two in terms of various socioeconomic attributes...." (SUMMARY IN ENG)

[The characteristics of nuclear families in two study areas: Plaza de la Revolucion and Yateras]. / Caracteristicas de los nucleos familiares en dos areas en estudio: Plaza de la Revolucion y Yateras

PIP: Differences in family characteristics in two regions of Cuba are analyzed. Data are from a recent survey that covered 1,107 nuclear families in the municipality of Plaza de la Revolucion and 671 in the municipality of Yateras, involving about 4,000 individuals in each case. Consideration is given to family composition and characteristics of head of household. The emphasis is on differences in family characteristics in rural and urban areas. (summary in ENG, FRE)^ieng

[The impact of different causes of death on the mortality levels of the population of Cuba]. / Incidencia de las diferentes causas de muerte en los niveles de mortalidad de la poblacion en Cuba

PIP: Differences in causes of death among the different regions of Cuba are analyzed. Mortality is calculated by cause of death and sex for Cuba and its regions in 1970 and for the whole country in 1975. The impact on life expectancy of the elimination of particular types of causes of death is estimated. (summary in ENG, FRE, GER)^ieng