[Operation to remove tunnelled venous catheters in a dialysis unit. Is it possible to reverse the trend in their growing use?]. / Operación retirada de catéteres venosos tunelizados en una unidad de diálisis. ¿Es posible cambiar la tendencia en el uso creciente de éstos?

INTRODUCTION: Introduction In an attempt to reduce unnecessary central venous catheters (CVC) dependence in prevalent population, a "CVC removal" programme was initiated in our unit. The objective was to diminish the number of CVC and to analyze the causes of their insertion and maintenance. On 09/01/07, 38 out of 173 prevalent patients on hemodialysis. Methods were CVC dependant (21.9%): 16 incident patients (42,1%) and 22 (57,8%) prevalent patients. All of them were re-evaluated for permanent vascular access utilization, included those previously rejected for surgery. Physical, psychical and vascular aspects regarding each patient were taken into consideration. The following variables were age, Body mass index, time on hemodialysis, Charlson analyzed comorbidity index, DM or vascular comorbidities and number of vascular accesses created prior to CVC placement. In those patients in whom AVF creation was feasible, the following were registered after 18 months of 1.Primary failure rate. 2. Related complications. 3. up follow Percentage of usable AVF or AVG. 4. Percentage of removed CVC. 5. Mortality and hospitalization. The decision of no realization of a new vascular access and? Results maintenance of TVC was performed in 21 patients (55.2%). In 9 of them was decision of the nephrologists and the family. In 11 patients was decision of vascular surgeon due to vascular bed exhaustion. A permanent VA was achieved in 17 patients (44.7%), 50% of them was incident patients and 45% prevalent patients. The primary failure rate was 0%. The TVC was withdrawn in 11/17 (64.7%). Only 4 patients remain without TVC after 18 months of follow-up: 5 patients died (4 with a AVF functioning and 1 VA closure due to steal syndrome) and in 8 patients was mandatory to reintroduce the TVC again. Immediate complications after the surgery were: 1 severe haematoma, 2 infections and 2 severe sequestrations. 3 patients required hospital admission following complications directly related to VA. Mean time of free of TVC was 5.2 months (range: 0.7- 14.3 months). The mortality was 29,4% (5/17) in the group of patients with a new VA and 9,5% (2/21) in the other group(RR 3,19; IC 95%: 0,68-13,98; p: 0,11). No significant differences were observed between patients who transitioned to a permanent vascular access and those who remained TVC dependant in regards to age, gender, BMI, time on dialysis, DM, comorbidity or number of previous VA, Transition from CVC use to hospitalizations or mortality. Conclusions permanent vascular access is possible in prevalent patients in dialysis. Improvement was achieved by a modest amount, and after a prolonged process with gravel complications, some of which proved severe. Need for CVC dependence is confirmed in a high percentage of prevalent patients on dialysis. Comorbidity might have influenced the results. The quality standard should be adequate to reality of current population on hemodialysis.

Operation to remove tunnelled venous catheters in a dialysis unit. Is it possible to reverse the trend in their growing use?

Introduction: In an attempt to reduce unnecessary tunnelled venous catheters (TVC) dependence in a prevalent population, a "TVC removal" programme was initiated in our unit. The objective was to diminish the number of TVC and to analyze the causes of their insertion and continuation. Methods: On 09/01/07, 38 out of 173 prevalent patients on haemodialysis were TVC dependant (21.9%), 16 incident patients (42.1%) and 22 (57.8%) prevalent patients. All of them were re-evaluated for placement of permanent vascular access including those previously rejected for surgery. Physical, psychic and vascular aspects of each patient were taken into consideration. The following variables were collected; age, body mass index (BMI), time on haemodialysis, Charlson Comorbidity Index, DM and vascular comorbidities and number of vascular accesses created prior to TVC placement. In those patients in whom AVF creation was feasible, after 18 months of follow-up the following parameters were evaluated: 1.Primary failure rate. 2. Surgical complications. 3. Percentage of usable AVF or AVG. 4. Percentage of removed TVC. 5. Mortality and hospitalization. Results: The decision not to carry out a permanent vascular access and to maintain TVC was made in 21 patients (55.2%). For 9 of them this was decided by the nephrologists and the family and for the remaining 11 patients, by the vascular surgeon after all vascular options were exhausted. A permanent VA was achieved in 17 patients (44.7%), 50% of them were incident patients and 45% prevalent patients. The primary failure rate was 0%. The TVC was withdrawn in 11 patients out of 17 (64.7%). Only 4 patients remained without TVC after 18 months of follow-up: 5 patients died (4 with AVF functioning and 1 underwent AVF ligation due to steal syndrome) and for 8 patients it was necessary to reintroduce the TVC again. Immediate complications after surgery were: 1 tense haematoma, complicated with skin necrosis, 2 infections and 2 steel syndromes with one requiring fistula ligation. Three patients required hospital admission following complications directly related to VA. The average time free from TVC was 5.2 months (range: 0.7- 14.3 months). The mortality rate was 29.4% (5/17) in the group of patients with a new VA and 9.5% (2/21) in the other group (RR 3.19; IC 95%: 0.68-13.98; p: 0.11). No significant differences were observed between patients who transitioned to a permanent vascular access and those who remained TVC in age, gender, BMI, time on dialysis, DM, comorbidity or number of previous VA attempts, hospitalizations or mortality. Conclusions: Permanent vascular access was possible in prevalent dialysis patients but this was achieved in a modest number of patients after a prolonged period and not without complications, some of which severe. The need for TVC dependence was confirmed in a high percentage of prevalent patients on dialysis. Comorbidity might have influenced the results. The quality standard should be adapted to the actual population on haemodialysis (AU)

Introducción: En base a la premisa de que los pacientes portadores de catéteres tienen un peor pronóstico que los portadores de FAV, las guías de acceso vascular (AV) plantean unos objetivos ambiciosos (< 10% de Catéteres venosos tunelizados (CVT). En un intento de cambiar esta tendencia creciente en el uso de CVT iniciamos la “operación retirada de CVT”. Métodos: Al inicio del estudio 38 de los 173 pacientes dializados en la unidad lo hacían mediante un CVT (21.9%): 16 pacientes (42,1%) incidentes y 22 (57,8%) prevalentes. Se evaluaron aspectos físicos, psíquicos y vasculares de cada paciente portador de CVT. Se recogió edad, Indice de masa corporal, tiempo en HD, índice de comorbilidad de charlson (ICM), presencia de cardiopatía y diabetes mellitas, y número de AV previos. Tras 18 meses de seguimiento se evaluó la tasa de fallo primario, las complicaciones de la cirugía, el porcentaje de AV puncionables, el porcentaje de CVT retirados, la mortalidad y los ingresos hospitalarios Resultados: En 21 pacientes (55,2%) la decisión fue la no realización de un nuevo AV y el mantenimiento del CVT. En 9 pacientes por decisión del nefrólogo y familiares y en 11 por decisión del cirujano ante el agotamiento del lecho vascular. En 17 pacientes (44,7%) se realizó una FAV(50% incidentes y 45% prevalentes). La tasa de fallo primario fue del 0%. Se retiró el CVT al 64,7% (11/17). 18 meses después solo 4 pacientes permanecían sin CVT: 5 pacientes habían fallecido (4 con FAV funcionante y 1 con CVT tras ligadura de FAV por robo severo) y en 8 hubo que reintroducir de nuevo el CVT. Las complicaciones inmediatas de la cirugía vascular fueron: Un hematoma a tensión con necrosis de piel secundaria que requirió ingreso; dos síndrome de robo, uno que se solucionó con ejercicio y otro que precisó cierre quirúrgico; 2 infecciones, una en relación con hiperaflujo y trombosis de cava superior que precisó cierre quirúrgico. El tiempo medio libre de CVT fue de 5,2 meses (rango: 0,7- 14,3 meses).La mortalidad fue 29,4% (5/17) en el grupo en el que se actúo y 9,5% (2/21) en el otro grupo (RR 3,19; IC al 95%: 0,68-13,98; p: 0,11). Los pacientes a los que se realizó una FAV no mostraron diferencias significativas con el grupo al que no se le realizó una FAV en cuanto a edad, obesidad, Tiempo en HD, ICM, DM, sexo, nº AV, ingresos ni mortalidad. Conclusiones: Es posible mejorar la tendencia en el uso de catéteres permanentes, en un grado discreto y a lo largo de un proceso prolongado y no exento de complicaciones, algunas de ellas graves. En un porcentaje elevado de pacientes se confirma la imposibilidad de retirar el CVT. La patología asociada puede haber influido en los resultados. Los estándares de calidad deberían adecuarse a la realidad de la población que estamos tratando (AU)

Allergy to latex and repeated vascular access thrombosis in haemodialysis

No disponible

No disponible

[Superficialization of autologous vascular access: an alternative to the use of vascular prostheses and permanent catheters]. / Superficialización de accesos venosos autólogos: una alternativa al uso de prótesis vasculares y catéteres permanentes.

INTRODUCTION: We review our experience with autologous veins Superficialization (Spf), to establish the actual possibilities of this kind of vascular access in our area. METHODS: Between January/2001 and January/2008, Spf was performed in 48 patients. Mean follow-up time was 18.8 (0.2-75.7) months. Primary failure rate was recorded; primary and secondary survival were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method; and its possible associations with several variables were analyzed. RESULTS: the maturity rate was 97.9%; and the rate of primary failure 2.0%. After Spf, mean time of primary and secondary survival were 65 months and 67 months, respectively. Four vascular thromboses were observed. None of the presurgery variables analyzed (age; sex; diabetes mellitus; ipsilateral central catheter; the number of previous VA attempts; and obesity) were significantly associated with maturity rate, primary or secondary survivals. CONCLUSION: the Spf can be a good option alternative to the use of prosthetic grafts or permanent central vascular catheters.

Superficialization of autologous vascular access: an alternative to the use of vascular prostheses and permanent catheters

Introduction: We review our experience with autologous veins Superficialization (Spf), to establish the actual possibilities of this kind of vascular access in our area. Methods: Between January/2001 and January/2008, Spf was performed in 48 patients. Mean follow-up time was 18.8(0.2-75.7) months. Primary failure rate was recorded; primary and secondary survival were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method; and its possible associations with several variables were analyzed. Results: the maturity rate was 97.9%; and the rate of primary failure 2.0%. After Spf, mean time of primary and secondary survival were 65months and 67 months, respectively. Four vascular thromboses were observed. None of the presurgery variables analyzed (age; sex; diabetes mellitus; ipsilateral central catheter; the number of previous VA attempts; and obesity) were significantly associated with maturity rate, primary or secondary survivals. Conclusion: the Spf can be a good option alternative to the use of prosthetic grafts or permanent central vascular catheters (AU)

Introducción: se analizan los resultados de la Superficialización (Spf ) de venas autólogas para establecer sus posibilidades reales en nuestro medio. Métodos: la Spf se realizó en 48 pacientes. El tiempo medio de seguimiento fue de 18,8 (0,2-75,7) meses . Se calculó la tasa de fallo primario, la Supervivenc ia (SV) primaria y la SV secundaria, y se estudiaron las posibles asociaciones con distintas variables . Resultados : la tasa de maduración fue del 97,9%, y la tasa de fallo primario, del 2,0%. El tiempo medio de SV primaria t ras la superficialización fue de 65,5 ± 4,8 meses, y el de SV secundaria, de 66,7 ± 4,3 meses . Ninguna de las variables preintervención estudiadas (edad, sexo, Diabetes Mel l i tus [DM] , presenc ia de catéter ipsilateral , número de Acceso Vascular (AV) u obesidad) tuvieron un impacto sobre las mismas. Se detectaron cuatro trombosis. Conclusión: la Spf de venas autólogas puede ser un método alternativo aceptable a la colocación de una prótesis vascular o un catéter (AU)

Cambios en el acceso vascular en una unidad de diálisis en los últimos años: ¿problemas de planificación, cambio de preferencias o cambio demográfico? / No disponible

Introducción: El incremento en el uso de catéteres permanentes (CP) en los pacientes en hemodiálisis, tanto en España como en los países analizados en el Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPSS), es una realidad, pero se desconoce cuales son las razones subyacentes que lo justifican. Métodos: Analizamos los cambios en la distribución de los diversos tipos de acceso vascular en 398 pacientes de nuestra unidad de hemodiálisis, desde enero de 2000 hasta diciembre de 2005, así como las causas que pudieron influir en estos cambios. Al mismo tiempo se estudiaron, de manera retrospectiva, los factores de riesgo asociados al uso de CP en los 95 pacientes que utilizaron ese tipo de acceso vascular entre enero de 1997 y abril de 2006. Resultados: El porcentaje de fístulas arteriovenosas en pacientes prevalentes disminuyó progresivamente a lo largo del periodo estudiado (de 95% a 77,9%); y el uso de CP se incrementó (de 4,2% a 21,5%). El porcentaje de pacientes incidentes que tenía un acceso vascular utilizable (fístula o injerto) al inicio de la diálisis disminuyó (83,4% en 2000; 69,3% en 2005), al tiempo que hubo un aumento significativo en el porcentaje de pacientes que utilizaban CP (de 0 a 23%) (p < 0,0001), y un descenso en el uso de catéteres temporales (de 16% a 7%) (p < 0,01) Coincidentemente, se observó un cambio en las características demográficas de los pacientes: mayor edad (71,3 vs 60,5 años), y mayor porcentaje de pacientes diabéticos (7,1% vs 18,5%) aunque las diferencias no fueron estadísticamente significativas; y menor tiempo en diálisis (93,2 vs 37 meses, p < 0,03). Las causas de colocación de CP variaron en el tiempo: en el primer periodo (hasta 2003) la causa más frecuente fue el agotamiento de otros accesos vasculares, en tanto que en el segundo periodo (de 2003 a 2007) lo fue la presencia de un mal lecho vascular. Conclusiones: A pesar de la política de favorecer la realización de fístulas arteriovenosas en nuestra unidad, nuestros resultados empeoraron, tanto en los pacientes prevalentes como en los incidentes, y ello coincidiendo con un cambio en las características de los pacientes, lo que parece haber influido en el cambio de tendencia observado. Se necesitan nuevos estudios con programas de mejora para evaluar si es posible un cambio de tendencia, a pesar de las peores condiciones de los nuevos pacientes incidentes en diálisis (AU)

Background: Evidence on the reasons for the general and discouraging overutilization of catheters in DOPPS countries is lacking. Methods: We analysed the changes in distribution of the different types of vascular access in all 398 patients ongoing hemodialysis at our unit, from january 2000 until december 2005,as well as patients’ characteristics. Secondly, risk factors associated with the use of permanent catheters were evaluated in all 95patients who used that kind of vascular access from january1997 until april 2006.Results: The percentage of fistulas in prevalent patients diminished from year 2000 until year 2005 (from 95% to 77.9%); concurrently there was an increase in the use of permanent catheters(from 4.2% to 21.5%). The percentage of incident patients having a usable fistula or graft at the beginning of hemodialysis diminished progressively (83.4% in 2000; 69.3% in 2005), and there was a significant increase in the percentage of incident patients using a permanent catheter (from 0 to 23%). Coincidentally ,there was a change in patients characteristics: increasing age (71.3 vs 60.5 years); greater diabetes percentage (7.1% vs18.5%) and less time on dialysis (93.2 vs 37 months; p < 0.03).Causes of permanent catheter insertion varied. (AU)

[Changes in vascular access in a dialysis unit in recent years: planning problems, change in preferences, or demographic change?]. / Cambios en el acceso vascular en una unidad de diálisis en los últimos años: problemas de planificación, cambio de preferencias o cambio demográfico?

BACKGROUND: Evidence on the reasons for the general and discouraging overutilization of catheters in DOPPS countries is lacking. METHODS: We analysed the changes in distribution of the different types of vascular access in all 398 patients ongoing hemodialysis at our unit, from January 2000 until December 2005, as well as patients' characteristics. Secondly, risk factors associated with the use of permanent catheters were evaluated in all 95 patients who used that kind of vascular access from January 1997 until April 2006. RESULTS: The percentage of fistulas in prevalent patients diminished from year 2000 until year 2005 (from 95% to 77.9%); concurrently there was an increase in the use of permanent catheters (from 4.2% to 21.5%). The percentage of incident patients having a usable fistula or graft at the beginning of hemodialysis diminished progressively (83.4% in 2000; 69.3% in 2005), and there was a significant increase in the percentage of incident patients using a permanent catheter (from 0 to 23%). Coincidentally, there was a change in patients characteristics: increasing age (71.3 vs. 60.5 years); greater diabetes percentage (7.1% vs. 18.5%) and less time on dialysis (93.2 vs 37 months; p < 0.03). Causes of permanent catheter insertion varied, exhaustion of all other arteriovenous options being the most frequent in the first period of the study and the presence of an unsuitable vascular anatomy in the second. CONCLUSIONS: Despite our policy favoring arteriovenous angioaccess, our results with regards to vascular access worsened in both prevalent and incident patients, coinciding with a change in patients' characteristics. We believe that reversing this trend may become more complicated as the population on dialysis grows older and becomes more prone to diabetes.

Distribución de lesiones traumáticas en los festejos taurinos: hacia una racionalización d ela asistencia / Bullfights injurys distribution: Towards assistance aproach

OBJETIVOS. Conocer la frecuencia y distribución de las lesiones traumáticas que acontecen durante la lidia de reses bravas así como ofrecer una clasificación de las mismas que comporte una actitud terapéutica en el lugar del accidente. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS. Se revisan los partes facultativos emitidos en todos los festejos taurinos profesionales celebrados en España durante los años 2005 y 2006, y se analizan los datos referentes a su frecuencia, tipología, topografía y pronóstico. RESULTADOS. Se registran 412 lesiones en 365 lesionados. Las lesiones más frecuentes son: cornadas (39´56%), fracturas óseas (12´62%), heridas (11´89%), puntazos (8´74%), varetazos/ contusiones (7´52%), esguinces (6´06%), luxaciones (4´36%) y TCE (3’15%). Encontramos lesionados con parte facultativo emitido en el 8´05% de los festejos, si bien en las plazas de primera categoría esta frecuencia se eleva al 15´17%. Se presenta una clasificación de los lesionados en 4 grupos o categorías que comportan una orientación tipológica, pronóstica y una actitud terapéutica en el lugar del accidente. CONCLUSIÓN. El tratamiento definitivo de estos lesionados obliga a un abordaje multidisciplinar que en gran número de casos no es posible realizar en el lugar del accidente. Por ello creemos que un planteamiento “ABCD” como el que se ofrece, contribuye a una mejor comprensión de estos percances y a una racionalización de su asistencia (AU)

Our objective is to know frecuency and distribution of injurys during bullfights, and present an injured person clasification according to treatment on accident place. ETHODS. We rewiew all phisician reports emited in spanish bullfights during the period 2005-2006, recording frecuency, tipology, topography and forecast injury dates. RESULTS. We record 412 injurys in 365 injured persons. The principal injurys are: “cornadas” (39´56%), bony fractures (12´62%), wounds (11´89%), “puntazos” (8´74%), contusions (7´52%), sprains (6´06%), dislocations (4´36%) and craneoencefalic injurys (3´15%). 8´05% of bullfights bear with injured persons and 15´17% at first category bullfights. We offer an injured persons classification in four groups in order to tipology, forecast and treatment on accident place. CONCLUSIONS. Definitive treatment of this injurys involve several medical specialists and treatment on accident place is not ever possible. In this way, an “ABCD” aproach can contribute to a better understanding and treatment of this injurys (AU)

Giant aneurysm of the high internal carotid artery: surgical treatment.

We report the successful surgical treatment of a patient with a giant aneurysm of the high internal carotid artery by resection of the aneurysm and end-to-end anastomosis at the skull base, after resection of the styloid process and section of the stylohyoid and digastric muscles. No shunt was used and no major neurologic deficits resulted. Thirty months after operation the repaired artery is patent, with no evidence of stenosis or residual aneurysm and with good distal perfusion. Surgical treatment of high carotid artery aneurysms is possible with rather simple techniques; excision of the aneurysm followed by restoration of continuity of the carotid ends should be the treatment of choice regardless of the location of the aneurysm.

Surgery of the innominate artery.

The authors describe their experience with the surgical treatment of 28 patients with obliteration or stenosis of the innominate artery. In 18 (64.3%) patients an intrathoracic operation was done and in three of these a multiple bypass from the aorta to the affected trunks was carried out. In the remaining 10 patients (35.7%) extrathoracic operations were carried out. Immediate results were good in 24 (85.7%) of cases. Thrombosis occurred in 3 during the first 30 days after operation. One patient suffered thrombosis of the bypass and following removal of this became comatose and subsequently died. Long term results were good inasmuch as at 5 years 94.8% of patients survived with a patent reconstruction. The clinical procedures reviewed as is the topography of associated lesions of the other supra-aortic trunks together with the different techniques employed and their indications. The authors express their preference for the technique of an end to side graft in the aorta and end to end in the innominate artery, when the distal portion of this artery is patent and the age and general state of the patient permits a thoracic approach. This technique assures revascularization of the right carotid and vertebral areas, apart from complying with optimal hemodynamic conditions.

[Desquamative interstitial pneumonia in a 3-month-old boy]. / Neumonía intersticial descamativa en un niño de tres meses de edad

It is described a desquamative interstitial pneumonia in a three months old infant, in whom the diagnosis was established by necropsy. It is the 5th case younger than six months of age, published in the literature. The clinical and pathologic features of disease are briefly reviewed.