Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients Under Treatment With Apixaban in Latin America.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) has a strong impact on the quality of life (QOL) of patients and anticoagulation has a lot to do with it. We evaluated the QOL of patients with nonvalvular AF who start treatment with apixaban in Latin America. QOL was analyzed through a questionnaire developed to evaluate anticoagulated patients, which was completed by them 3 months after starting treatment. We included 521 patients from Uruguay, Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru. A high index of general treatment satisfaction (5.34 ± 0.46) and self-efficacy (5.11 ± 0.68) were observed; the distress index was low (1.77 ± 0.88), as was the perception of daily hassles (1.35 ± 0.49) and strain social network related to medication (1.21 ± 0.34). Patients with AF who started treatment with apixaban has good satisfaction and self-efficacy scores with low index of stress, few daily limitations and social disruptions.

High-Sensitivity Troponin T For The Risk Assessment Of Patients With Acute Atrial Fibrillation.

Elevations of high-sensitivity troponin T (Hs-TnT) in the setting of acute atrial fibrillation (AF) are not clearly understood. This study evaluated factors associated with these elevations and its prognostic implication. We prospectively included 413 consecutive patients who presented to our institution with acute AF. The median Hs-TnT on admission was 12 ng/l and 39.4% had values above the 99th percentile. At 1-year, AF recurrence occurred in 38.3% of patients, and MACE in 5.6%. Hs-TnT levels were not associated with AF reversion (p 0.869) or with 1-year AF recurrence (p 0.132) but they were with MACE (12 vs 24 ng/l, p 0.001). Thus, Hs-TnT was a strong predictor of MACE (HR 3.486, 95% CI 1.256-5.379, p 0.009) in this population. In conclusion, Hs-TnT elevation was frequently observed in patients with acute AF, and although it was not associated with AF reversion or recurrence, it was highly predictive of MACE at 1-year.

Evaluación del algoritmo de la Sociedad Europea de Cardiología de dolor torácico en pacientes con diabetes mellitus / Performance of the European Society of Cardiology Algorithm for the Assessment of Chest Pain in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

RESUMEN Introducción: Dado que los pacientes con diabetes tienen habitualmente niveles de troponina más elevados que la población general, nos propusimos evaluar el comportamiento del algoritmo de la Sociedad Europea de Cardiología que utiliza la medición de troponina de alta sensibilidad al ingreso y 1 hora después en estos pacientes. Material y métodos: Se evaluaron 1140 pacientes que consultaron por dolor torácico con electrocardiograma sin supradesnivel del segmento ST. El algoritmo estratifica los pacientes en tres grupos de riesgo: "externar", "observar" e "internar". Se valoró el comportamiento del algoritmo para el evento infarto a 30 d. Resultados: En total, 124 pacientes (10,8%) tenían diabetes. Ninguno de los clasificados como "externar" (40,3%) presentó infarto a 30 días. En los "internar" (23,4%), el evento se produjo en el 82,8%, mientras que en el grupo "observar" (36,3%), en el 6,8%. La sensibilidad y el valor predictivo negativo fueron similares entre pacientes con diabetes y sin esta (100% vs. 98,5% p = 0,865 y 100% vs. 99,8% p = 0,44), pero la proporción de pacientes para "externar" fue menor en diabéticos (40,3% vs. 72,1%, p <0,001). En cuanto a la precisión para "internar" pacientes, la especificidad fue menor en diabéticos, pero el valor predictivo positivo fue mayor (90,9% vs. 97,2%, p <0,001 y 83% vs. 76%, p <0,001). La proporción de pacientes para "internar" fue mayor en diabéticos (23% vs. 8,6%, p <0,001). Conclusiones: El uso del algoritmo en pacientes con diabetes mostró una alta sensibilidad y un alto valor predictivo negativo para "externar" comparable a la población general. En cuanto al grupo "internar", presentó menor especificidad, pero alto valor predictivo positivo. Esto lo transforma en una útil herramienta para la práctica diaria.

ABSTRACT Background: Patients with diabetes usually have higher troponin levels than the general population. Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate the performance of the European Society of Cardiology algorithm which uses high sensitivity cardiac troponin levels on admission and after 1 hour in these patients. Methods: A total of 1,140 patients with chest pain and ECG without ST-segment elevation were evaluated. The algorithm stratifies patients in three risk groups: rule-out, observe and rule-in. We evaluated the performance of the algorithm to predict myocardial infarction at 30 days. Results: A total of 124 patients (10.8%) had diabetes. None of the patients in the rule-out group (40.3%) presented myocardial infarction at 30 days. In the rule-in group (23.4%), the event occurred in 82.8% of cases and in 6.8% in the observe group (36.3%). Sensitivity and negative predictive value were similar in patients with and without diabetes (100% vs. 98.5%, p= 0.865 and 100% vs. 99.8%, p=0.44), but the proportion of patients in the rule-out group was lower in diabetics (40.3% vs. 72.1%, p<0.001). The accuracy of the algorithm to rule in patients was evaluated by its specificity which was lower in diabetics, but the positive predictive value was greater (90.9% vs. 97.2%, p<0.001 and 83% vs. 76%, p<0.001). The proportion of patients in the rule-in group was higher in diabetics (23% vs. 8.6%, p<0.001). Conclusion: The use of the algorithm in patients with diabetes revealed high sensitivity and negative predictive value to rule out, which was similar to that of the general population. Regarding the rule-in group, it had lower specificity but high positive predictive value. This performance makes the algorithm a useful tool for daily practice.

Primary hypothyroidism with exuberant dermatological manifestations.

Thyroid hormone has effects on the skin. Patients with hypothyroidism have changes such as dry, scaly and rough skin. Increase carotene in the dermis becomes a yellowish tone to the skin of the patient with hypothyroidism. There is an increase in capillary cycle (anagen phase) and nail growth and a reduction in eccrine gland secretion. It is a case of primary hypothyroidism with nail manifestations associated with dermatologic disorders and successful treatment with levothyroxine. Receptors for thyroid hormone have already been found in keratinocytes, fibroblasts, hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Genes responsive to thyroid hormones and elements of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis were identified on the skin. This report highlights the importance of cutaneous manifestations as markers of thyroid disease.

The HEART score in the era of the European Society of Cardiology 0/1-hour algorithm.

BACKGROUND: The European Society of Cardiology's 0/1-hour algorithm improves the early triage of patients towards "rule-out" or "rule-in" of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. The HEART score is a risk stratification tool for patients with undifferentiated chest pain. We sought to evaluate the performance of the European Society of Cardiology 0/1-hour algorithm and the HEART score to evaluate chest pain patients in the emergency department. METHODS: In this prospective study, we applied the European Society of Cardiology 0/1-hour algorithm and the HEART score in 1355 consecutive patients who presented to the emergency department with symptoms suggestive of acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation. Patients were followed for non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions and major adverse cardiac events at 30 days: death, non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, or unplanned coronary revascularization. RESULTS: The European Society of Cardiology 0/1-hour algorithm classified 921 (68.0%) patients as "rule-out" and the HEART score classified 686 (50.6%) patients as "low-risk". The 30-day incidence of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions was 0.32% in the European Society of Cardiology 0/1-hour algorithm "rule-out" patients versus 0.29% in the HEART score "low-risk" patients (p=0.75). The rate of major adverse cardiac events was 7.7% in the European Society of Cardiology 0/1-hour algorithm "rule-out" patients versus 1.1% in the HEART score "low-risk" patients (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The European Society of Cardiology 0/1-hour algorithm identified more patients with low risk of non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions at 30 days whereas for major adverse cardiac events, the HEART score had a greater capacity to detect low-risk patients.

Outcome of Applying the ESC 0/1-hour Algorithm in Patients With Suspected Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) recommends the 0/1-h algorithm for rapid triage of patients with suspected non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI). However, its impact on patient management and safety when routinely applied is unknown. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine these important real-world outcome data. METHODS: In a prospective international study enrolling patients presenting with acute chest discomfort to the emergency department (ED), the authors assessed the real-world performance of the ESC 0/1-h algorithm using high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T embedded in routine clinical care and its associated 30-day rates of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) (the composite of cardiovascular death and MI). RESULTS: Among 2,296 patients, non-ST-segment elevation MI prevalence was 9.8%. In median, 1-h blood samples were collected 65 min after the 0-h blood draw. Overall, 94% of patients were managed without protocol violations, and 98% of patients triaged toward rule-out did not require additional cardiac investigations including high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T measurements at later time points or coronary computed tomography angiography in the ED. Median ED stay was 2 h and 30 min. The ESC 0/1-h algorithm triaged 62% of patients toward rule-out, and 71% of all patients underwent outpatient management. Proportion of patients with 30-day MACE were 0.2% (95% confidence interval: 03% to 0.5%) in the rule-out group and 0.1% (95% confidence interval: 0% to 0.2%) in outpatients. Very low MACE rates were confirmed in multiple subgroups, including early presenters. CONCLUSIONS: These real-world data document the excellent applicability, short time to ED discharge, and low rate of 30-day MACE associated with the routine clinical use of the ESC 0/1-h algorithm for the management of patients presenting with acute chest discomfort to the ED.

Update on Bayés' syndrome: the association between an interatrial block and supraventricular arrhythmias.

INTRODUCTION: The past few years have given rise to extensive research on an interatrial block and its clinical relevance, mainly its association with supraventricular arrhythmias. In 2015, the authors of this article reviewed the Bayes syndrome for the first time and after three years there has been so much evidence accumulated that it seems reasonable to rewrite an update, based fundamentally on the new findings. Focused on its relationship with cardioembolic strokes, today efforts are being targeted at understanding its pathophysiology, its diagnosis, and its prognostic implications, in order to learn if it should be treated. Areas covered: A non-systematic review of the literature was developed using the Pubmed and Cochrane databases, focusing on randomized clinical trials and large observational studies that evaluated new physiopathological and epidemiological aspects, new clinical scenarios in which it has been assessed and its association with dementia. Finally, those studies that proposed new possible treatments were reviewed. Expert commentary: Interatrial block is not only a predictor of supraventricular arrhythmias, is a subclinical disease that might be considered as a marker of risk for adverse outcomes. Although there is some evidence to suggest that early treatment may be beneficial, potential therapies have yet to be investigated.

Utilidad del score HEART con troponina T de alta sensibilidad para la evaluación de pacientes con dolor torácico / Usefulness of the HEART Score with High-Sensitivity Troponin T for the Evaluation of Patients withChest Pain

RESUMEN Introducción: El score HEART consiste en una prueba sencilla que fue diseñada para estratificar a los pacientes que consultan al servicio de emergencias por dolor torácico, según su riesgo de presentar un síndrome coronario agudo a corto plazo. Fue creado inicialmente con troponina de cuarta generación, pero el advenimiento de la troponina de alta sensibilidad impuso su incorporación al score y la reevaluación de su comportamiento. Objetivo: Nos propusimos evaluar el comportamiento del score HEART con troponina de alta sensibilidad. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio prospectivo que incluyó 1464 pacientes (p) que consultaron al servicio de emergencia por dolor torácico y que tenían electrocardiograma sin elevación del segmento ST. Se evaluó la incidencia de MACE (combinado de infarto agudo de miocardio, muerte y revascularización) a 30 días. Resultados: El índice clasificó 739 pacientes (50,5 %) como de bajo riesgo, 515 pacientes (35,2%) de riesgo intermedio y 210 pacientes (14,3%) de alto riesgo. La incidencia de la combinación de infarto agudo de miocardio, muerte y revascularización fue del 1,35% en el primer grupo; del 20%, en el segundo; y del 71%, en el tercero (long rank test p < 0,001). El área bajo la curva global para la combinación de infarto agudo de miocardio, muerte y revascularización fue de 0,91 (0,89-0,93). Conclusiones: El score HEART que utiliza troponina de alta sensibilidad tiene una gran capacidad para clasificar pacientes con dolor torácico de acuerdo con su riesgo de presentar eventos cardiovasculares en el corto plazo.

Rivaroxaban in the cardiovascular world: a direct anticoagulant useful to prevent stroke and venous and arterial thromboembolism.

INTRODUCTION: Until recently, vitamin K antagonists (VKA) were the only drugs available for long-term anticoagulation. The use of these drugs is laborious due to their variable pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The advent of direct oral anticoagulants has produced a paradigm shift due to their low incidence of drug interactions, their stable plasma levels, and their lack of monitoring. Rivaroxaban, a factor Xa inhibitor, has been tested in different clinical scenarios and has proved to be effective and safe, even increasing the scope of the old VKA. Areas covered: A non-systematic review of the literature was conducted using the PubMed and Cochrane databases, focusing on randomized clinical trials and real-world observational studies that evaluated rivaroxaban in patients with atrial fibrillation, venous thromboembolism, and atherosclerotic coronary and peripheral vascular disease. Expert commentary: The role of rivaroxaban keeps expanding into areas that were unimaginable few years ago, in the light of solid evidence that has eliminated old strict paradigms. Nonetheless, it will be necessary to adjust costs and better understand the perceived barriers to its widespread implementation, to get fully acceptation of rivaroxaban for the different clinical conditions that have been suggested.

Consentimento médico informado em hérnia discal lombar / Informed consent form in lumbar disc surgery

Analisamos os resultados e as complicações do tratamento cirúrgico da hérnia discal lombar em nossas casuísticas anteriormente apresentadas e realizamos uma revisão da literatura sobre esse assunto. Comparando os dados obtidos, esquematizamos informações a serem transmitidas aos pacientes sobre a enfermidade. Realizamos a microdiscectomia (1980-1982), em 46 pacientes: confirmaram-se bons resultados em 85 por cento deles; reoperações ocorreram em 8,7 por cento. Em outra casuística (1990-1991) com 160 pacientes, reoperações ocorreram em 21 casos (13 por cento). Desses 21 pacientes, em apenas 8 realizamos a primeira cirurgia. Encontramos recidiva em 9 (5,6 por cento), operação no espaço errado em 6 (3,7 por cento), fibrose em 3 (1,9 por cento) e hérnia nova (pseudo-recorrência) em 3 (1,9 por cento). Para 27 pacientes submetidos à discectomia a laser (1996-1999), o índice de bons resultados foi de 66,7 por cento. Para se indicar cirurgia, deve haver uma perfeita correlação entre as queixas do paciente, o comprometimento neurológico e o diagnóstico por neuroimagem. Atualmente, há uma tendência a se realizar o tratamento clínico por três meses antes de indicação cirúrgica. A cirurgia é segura e eficaz e, quando os resultados são analisados em longo prazo, são semelhantes aos do tratamento conservador. As complicações mais freqüentes da cirurgia, citadas na literatura, são: recidiva da hérnia, operação no espaço errado, descompressão radicular indadequada, lesão radicular e fibrose. Há casos registrados de óbitos relacionados a discite e lesões vasculares. O nosso propósito ao rever os dados apontados é o de propor que o médico, antes de realizar a cirurgia, peça que se assine um termo de consentimento médico em que consta que o paciente foi informado sobre a enfermidade, sobre a necessidade de cirurgia e quais são os objetivos, as possibilidades de sucesso, complicações e reoperações. Os pacientes orientados com tratamento conservador devem ser informados sobre a natureza da enfermidade e o planejamento do tratamento.

Histiocitose de células de Langerhans na órbita: relato de um caso / Langerhans cells histiocytosis of the orbit: report a case

Histiocitose de células de Langerhans (HCL) é uma patologia benigna, geralmente com bom prognóstico. Relatou-se um caso de HCL em uma criança que apresentou apenas comprometimento orbitário, de aparecimento rápido, com quadro clínico de proptose axial, indolor, sem sinais flogísticos. O diagnóstico foi realizado através de imagenologia e biópsia incisional da lesäo, com exame histopatológico. O tratamento foi realizado inicialmente com corticoterapia sistêmica, com posterior introduçäo de quimioterapia. O curso clínico foi favorável