[Comparison between the first and second COVID-19 wave of patients who required invasive mechanical ventilation in an intensive care unit in Argentina]. / Comparación entre la primera y segunda ola de pacientes con COVID-19 que requirieron ventilación mecánica invasiva en una unidad de cuidados intensivos de Argentina.

INTRODUCTION: the information regarding characteristics and ventilatory results comparing the first (W1) and the second wave (W2) in Argentina are limited. The main objective of this study was to describe general characteristics and ventilatory variables in COVID-19 patients who required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and compare differences between waves. Secondarily, factors associated with mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) were studied. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study that included patients older than 18 years infected with SARS-CoV-2 consecutively admitted to ICU with IMV between August 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021. We included 412 patients. RESULTS: We found statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) in age [W1 64(55-72) vs W2 59 (50-66) years], presence of COPD [W1 n = 42 (19.8%) vs. W2 n = 13(6.3%)], plateau pressure [W1 27(25-30) cm H2O vsW2 24 (22-27) cmH2O], driving pressure (ΔP) [W1 15 (13-17) cmH2O vs. W2 12 (11-14) cm H2O] compliance [W1 40 mL/cmH2O (32-46) vs. W2 = 33 mL/cm H2O (27-40)]; reintubation [W1 30.4% (n = 63/207) vs. W2 13.7% (n = 28/205)]. We identified as independent factors associated with mortality the following variables: age [OR 1.07(95% CI 1.05-1.09)], the ΔP in the first 24 hours [OR 1.19(95% CI 1.10-1.28)] and W2 [OR 1.81 (95% IC1.12-2.93); p = 0.015. DISCUSSION: During W2 the patients were younger. It was possible to achieve ventilatory mechanics more adjusted to a protective ventilation strategy. In conclusion, in the patients studied, age and ΔP were independent predictors of mortality.

Introducción: la información sobre características y resultados ventilatorios que comparen la primera (O1) y segunda (O2) ola de COVID-19 en Argentina son limitados. El objetivo principal de este estudio fue describir las características generales y variables ventilatorias en pacientes COVID-19 que requirieron ventilación mecánica invasiva (VMI) y comparar las diferencias entre olas. Secundariamente se estudiaron factores asociados con mortalidad en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI). Métodos: Realizamos un estudio observacional analítico de cohorte prospectiva que incluyó pacientes mayores de 18 años infectados por SARS-CoV-2 ingresados de forma consecutiva a la unidad de cuidados intensivos, con requerimiento de VMI, entre el 1 de agosto de 2020 y el 30 de junio de 2021. Se incluyeron 412 pacientes. Resultados: Encontramos diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p < 0.001) en: la edad [O1 64 (55-72) años versus O2 59 (50-66) años]; presencia de EPOC [O1 n = 41 (19.8%) versus O2 n = 13 (6.3%)]; Presión meseta [O1 27 (25-30) cmH2O versus O224 (22-27) cmH2O],presión de conducción (ΔP) [O1 15 (13-17) cmH2O versus O2 12 (11-14) cmH2O]; complacencia [O1 40 mL/cmH2O (32-46) versus O2 33 mL/cmH2O (27-40)]; reintubación [O1 30.4% (n=63/207) versus O2 13.7% (n=28/205)]. Se identificaron como factores independientes asociados a mortalidad las siguientes variables: edad [(OR 1.07 (IC 95% 1.05-1.09)], el ΔP en las primeras 24 h [(OR 1.19 (IC 95% 1.10-1.28)] y O2 [OR 1.81 (IC 95% 1.12-2.93); p = 0.015]. Discusión: Durante O2, los pacientes eran más jóvenes. Fue posible lograr una mecánica ventilatoria más ajustada a una estrategia de ventilación protectora. Como conclusión, en los pacientes estudiados la edad y ΔP fueron predictores independientes de mortalidad.

Comparación entre la primera y segunda ola de pacientes con COVID-19 que requirieron ventilación mecánica invasiva en una unidad de cuidados intensivos de Argentina / Comparison between the first and second COVID-19 wave of patients who required invasive mechanical ventilation in an intensive care unit in Argentina

Resumen Introducción: la información sobre características y resultados ventilatorios que comparen la primera (O1) y segunda (O2) ola de COVID-19 en Argentina son limitados. El objetivo principal de este estudio fue describir las características generales y variables ventilatorias en pacientes COVID-19 que requirieron ventilación mecánica invasiva (VMI) y comparar las diferencias entre olas. Secundariamente se es tudiaron factores asociados con mortalidad en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI). Métodos: Realizamos un estudio observacional analítico de cohorte prospectiva que incluyó pacientes mayores de 18 años infectados por SARS-CoV-2 ingresados de forma consecutiva a la unidad de cuidados intensivos, con requerimiento de VMI, entre el 1 de agosto de 2020 y el 30 de junio de 2021. Se incluyeron 412 pacientes. Resultados: Encontramos diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p < 0.001) en: la edad [O1 64 (55-72) años versus O2 59 (50-66) años]; presencia de EPOC [O1 n = 41 (19.8%) versus O2 n = 13 (6.3%)]; Presión meseta [O1 27 (25-30) cmH2O versus O224 (22-27) cmH2O],presión de conducción (ΔP) [O1 15 (13-17) cmH2O versus O2 12 (11-14) cmH2O]; complacencia [O1 40 mL/cmH2O (32-46) versus O2 33 mL/cmH2O (27-40)]; reintubación [O1 30.4% (n=63/207) versus O2 13.7% (n=28/205)]. Se identificaron como factores independientes asociados a mortalidad las siguientes variables: edad [(OR 1.07 (IC 95% 1.05-1.09)], el ΔP en las primeras 24 h [(OR 1.19 (IC 95% 1.10-1.28)] y O2 [OR 1.81 (IC 95% 1.12-2.93); p = 0.015]. Discusión: Durante O2, los pacientes eran más jóvenes. Fue posible lograr una mecánica ventilatoria más ajustada a una estrategia de ventilación protectora. Como conclusión, en los pacientes estudiados la edad y ΔP fueron predictores independientes de mortalidad.

Abstract Introduction: the information regarding characteristics and ventilatory results comparing the first (W1) and the second wave (W2) in Argentina are limited. The main objective of this study was to describe general charac teristics and ventilatory variables in COVID-19 patients who required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and compare differences between waves. Secondarily, factors associated with mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) were studied. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study that included patients older than 18 years infected with SARS-CoV-2 consecutively admitted to ICU with IMV between August 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021. We included 412 patients. Results: We found statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) in age [W1 64(55-72) vs W2 59 (50-66) years], presence of COPD [W1 n = 42 (19.8%) vs. W2 n = 13(6.3%)], plateau pressure [W1 27(25-30) cm H2O vsW2 24 (22-27) cmH2O], driving pressure (ΔP) [W1 15 (13-17) cmH2O vs. W2 12 (11-14) cm H2O] compliance [W1 40 mL/cmH2O (32-46) vs. W2 = 33 mL/cm H2O (27-40)]; reintubation [W1 30.4% (n = 63/207) vs. W2 13.7% (n = 28/205)]. We identified as independent factors associated with mortality the following variables: age [OR 1.07(95% CI 1.05-1.09)], the ΔP in the first 24 hours [OR 1.19(95% CI 1.10- 1.28)] and W2 [OR 1.81 (95% IC1.12-2.93); p = 0.015. Discussion: During W2 the patients were younger. It was possible to achieve ventilatory mechanics more adjusted to a protective ventilation strategy. In conclusion, in the patients studied, age and ΔP were independent predictors of mortality.

[Syncrhonous carcinosarcoma of the extrahepatic bile duct and gallbladder.] / Carcinosarcoma sincrónico de la vesícula y la via biliar extrahepática.

Carcinosarcoma is a malignant neoplasm characterized for intermingled epithelial and mesenchymal components. CASE REPORT: A preoperative suspected diagnosis will allow a radical therapy avoiding a very bad prognosis. We report on a male patient who was operated in our Service with diagnosis of synchronous carcinosarcoma of gallbladder and extrahepatic bile duct and a review of the Medical Literature. DISCUSSION: A gallblader carcinosarcoma showing extension into common bile duct is very rare, a carcinosarcoma of the bile duct is exceptional, and a synchronous carcinosarcoma ofthe bile duct and gallbladder has not been reported previously.

Molecular biology of malignant gliomas.

Gliomas are the most common primary brain tumours. In keeping with the degree of aggressiveness, gliomas are divided into four grades, with different biological behaviour. Furthermore, as different gliomas share a predominant histological appearance, the final classification includes both, histological features and degree of malignancy. For example, gliomas of astrocytic origin (astrocytomas) are classified into pilocytic astrocytoma (grade I), astrocytoma (grade II), anaplastic astrocytoma (grade III) and glioblastoma multiforme (GMB) (grade IV). Tumors derived from oligodendrocytes include grade II (oliogodendrogliomas) and grade III neoplasms (oligoastrocytoma). Each subtype has a specific prognosis that dictates the clinical management. In this regard, a patient diagnosed with an oligodendroglioma totally removed has 10-15 years of potential survival. On the opposite site, patients carrying a glioblastoma multiforme usually die within the first year after the diagnosis is made. Therefore, different approaches are needed in each case. Obviously, prognosis and biological behaviour of malignant gliomas are closely related and supported by the different molecular background that possesses each type of glioma. Furthermore, the ability that allows several low-grade gliomas to progress into more aggressive tumors has allowed cancer researchers to elucidate several pathways implicated in molecular biology of these devastating tumors. In this review, we describe classical pathways involved in human malignant gliomas with special focus with recent advances, such as glioma stem-like cells and expression patterns from microarray studies.