The relationship between aortic stiffness and changes in retinal microvessels among Asian ischemic stroke patients.

Large-artery stiffness is a risk factor for stroke, including cerebral small-vessel disease. Retinal microvascular changes are thought to mirror those in cerebral microvessels. We investigated the relationship between aortic stiffness and retinal microvascular changes in Asian ischemic stroke patients. We studied 145 acute ischemic stroke patients in Singapore who had aortic stiffness measurements using carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cPWV). Retinal photographs were assessed for retinal microvessel caliber and qualitative signs of focal arteriolar narrowing, arteriovenous nicking and enhanced arteriolar light reflex. Aortic stiffening was associated with retinal arteriolar changes. Retinal arteriolar caliber decreased with increasing cPWV (r=-0.207, P=0.014). After adjusting for age, gender, hypertension, diabetes, mean arterial pressure and small-vessel stroke subtype, patients within the highest cPWV quartile were more likely to have generalized retinal arteriolar narrowing defined as lowest caliber tertile (odds ratio (OR) 6.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.45-32.30), focal arteriolar narrowing (OR 13.85, CI 1.82-105.67), arteriovenous nicking (OR 5.08, CI 1.12-23.00) and enhanced arteriolar light reflex (OR 3.83, CI 0.89-16.48), compared with those within the lowest quartile. In ischemic stroke patients, aortic stiffening is associated with retinal arteriolar luminal narrowing as well as features of retinal arteriolosclerosis.

Retinal microvascular changes and subsequent vascular events after ischemic stroke.

OBJECTIVES: Retinal microvasculature changes are associated with vascular events including stroke in healthy populations. It is not known whether retinal microvascular changes predict recurrent vascular events after ischemic stroke. We examined the relationship between retinal microvascular signs and subsequent vascular events in a prospective cohort of 652 acute ischemic stroke patients admitted to a tertiary hospital in Singapore from 2005 to 2007. METHODS: Retinal photographs taken within 1 week of stroke onset were assessed in a masked manner for quantitative and qualitative measures. Follow-up data over 2-4 years were obtained by standardized telephone interview and then were verified from medical records. Predictors of recurrent vascular events (cerebrovascular, coronary, vascular death, and composite vascular events) were determined using Cox regression models. RESULTS: Follow-up data over a median of 29 months were obtained for 89% (652 patients) of the cohort. After adjustment for covariates including traditional risk factors and index stroke etiology, patients with severe arteriovenous nicking (AVN) were more likely to have a recurrent cerebrovascular event (hazard ratio [HR] 2.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20-4.33) compared with those without AVN. Patients with severe focal arteriolar narrowing (FAN) were more likely to have a recurrent cerebrovascular event (HR 2.75, 95% CI 1.14-6.63) or subsequent composite vascular event (HR 2.77, 95% CI 1.31-5.86) compared to those without FAN. CONCLUSIONS: Retinal microvascular changes predicted subsequent vascular events after ischemic stroke, independent of traditional risk factors and stroke subtype. Thus, retinal imaging has a potential role in predicting the risk of recurrent vascular events after ischemic stroke and in understanding novel vascular risk factors.

Reconsidering recent myocardial infarction as a contraindication for IV stroke thrombolysis.

OBJECTIVES: We reviewed the literature on IV stroke thrombolysis for patients with recent myocardial infarction (MI). METHODS: We searched PubMed and Ovid databases, relevant trials, and guidelines. RESULTS: Only 5 thrombolyzed stroke patients with recent MI were reported to have cardiac tamponade. Pathological studies show MI healing is completed by 7 weeks. CONCLUSION: The time window from MI as a contraindication for IV stroke thrombolysis may be narrowed from 3 months in current guidelines to 7 weeks.

[Role of decompressive craniectomy in brain injury patient]. / Papel de la craniectomía descompresiva en el enfermo neurocrítico.

Second level therapeutic maneuvres for controlling intracranial hypertension (ICH) proposed by the European Brain Injury Consortium and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons include barbiturates, moderate hypothermia and decompressive craniectomy (DC). However, neither barbiturates nor hypothermia have been demonstrated to improve its outcome. DC could be a therapeutic option in the management of ICH without intracerebral masses. Therefore, our goal has been to review and analyze the clinical usefulness of DC in patients with brain injury in an attempt to deal with some concerns of the critical care physicians. Can DC improve patient outcome? Currently, there are no randomized and controlled clinical trials supporting or rejecting the practice of DC in adults. Most published reports provide level II of evidence. However, most of those studies have shown that the outcome is better in patients with DC. When should DC be performed? It should be performed early to prevent ICH from occurring more than 12 hours. What are the effects of DC on intracranial pressure and brain oxygenation? In most patients, ICP can be maintained below 25 mmHg after a DC. However, to improve brain oxygenation (PtiO(2)), the probe must be placed in the healthy area of the most severely damaged cerebral hemisphere. What is the suggested surgical procedure? Frontal-subtemporal-parietal-occipital craniectomies, including enlargement of the dura by duroplasty. And finally, what are the current contraindications of DC? Glasgow Coma Scale score 3 points post-resuscitation states with dilated and arreactive pupils, age > 65 years old, ICH > 12 hours, persistent (a-yv)DO(2) < 3.2% or PtiO(2) < 10 mmHg maintained from the moment of admission.

Papel de la craniectomía descompresiva en el enfermo neurocrítico / Role of decompressive craniectomy in brain injury patient

Las medidas terapéuticas de segundo nivel para el control de la hipertensión intracraneal (HIC) que propone el European Brain Injury Consortium y la American Association of Neurological Surgeons son los barbitúricos, la hipotermia moderada o la craniectomía descompresiva (CD). Pero ni los barbitúricos ni la hipotermia han mejorado el resultado de los pacientes. Por tanto, la CD quizá sea una opción terapéutica razonable a aplicar en la HIC sin lesiones ocupantes de espacio. Nuestro objetivo es revisar y analizar la utilidad clínica de la CD en el paciente neurocrítico e intentar contestar a las preguntas que nos planteamos los intensivistas al respecto. ¿La CD puede mejorar el resultado de los pacientes? Actualmente no hay ningún trabajo prospectivo, controlado y aleatorizado y la mayoría de los artículos son de nivel III. No obstante, sus resultados son alentadores. ¿En qué momento realizaremos la CD? Precozmente, evitando HIC más de 12 h. ¿Qué efecto tiene la CD en la presión intracraneal (PIC) y la oxigenación cerebral? En la mayoría de los pacientes se consigue una PIC < 25 mmHg, pero no ocurre lo mismo con la oxigenación cerebral (PtiO2). El sensor debe colocarse en área cerebral sana del hemisferio más dañado. ¿Qué técnica neuroquirúrgica se aconseja en estos casos? Craniectomía fronto-subtemporo-parieto-occipital con apertura de la duramadre y duroplastia. Y finalmente, ¿cuáles son las contraindicaciones de la CD? Puntuación en la escala de coma de Glasgow de 3 tras reanimación con pupilas midriáticas y arreactivas, edad > 65 años, HIC > 12 h y diferencia arterio-yugular de oxígeno [Dif(a-vj)O2] < 3,2 vol% o PtiO2 < 10 mmHg mantenidas ambas desde el ingreso (AU)

Second level therapeutic maneuvres for controlling intracranial hypertension (ICH) proposed by the European Brain Injury Consortium and the American Association of Neurological Surgeons include barbiturates, moderate hypothermia and decompressive craniectomy (DC). However, neither barbiturates nor hypothermia have been demonstrated to improve its outcome. DC could be a therapeutic option in the management of ICH without intracerebral masses. Therefore, our goal has been to review and analyze the clinical usefulness of DC in patients with brain injury in an attempt to deal with some concerns of the critical care physicians. Can DC improve patient outcome? Currently, there are no randomized and controlled clinical trials supporting or rejecting the practice of DC in adults. Most published reports provide level II of evidence. However, most of those studies have shown that the outcome is better in patients with DC. When should DC be performed? It should be performed early to prevent ICH from occurring more than 12 hours. What are the effects of DC on intracranial pressure and brain oxygenation? In most patients, ICP can be maintained below 25 mmHg after a DC. However, to improve brain oxygenation (PtiO2), the probe must be placed in the healthy area of the most severely damaged cerebral hemisphere. What is the suggested surgical procedure? Frontal-subtemporal-parietal-occipital craniectomies, including enlargement of the dura by duroplasty. And finally, what are the current contraindications of DC? Glasgow Coma Scale score 3 points post-resuscitation states with dilated and arreactive pupils, age > 65 years old, ICH > 12 hours, persistent (a-yv)DO2 < 3.2% or PtiO2 < 10 mmHg maintained from the moment of admission (AU)

Prevalencia de síndrome metabólico en población laboral. El corazón de Asepeyo / Prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in laboral population. The heart of Asepeyo

Introducción: El espectacular aumento que el síndrome metabólico (SM) está teniendo en las sociedades occidentales, conduce inevitablemente al incremento de la enfermedad cardiovascular. Por ello y puesto que su presencia indica la necesidad de aplicar medidas activas para reducir el riesgo cardiovascular, nos propusimos estudiar la prevalencia del síndrome metabólico y los factores de riesgo asociados a él, en nuestra población laboral. Material y métodos: El estudio incluyó 345 trabajadores, 191 mujeres y 154 hombres, sometidos a un reconocimiento laboral durante el año 2006. Resultados: El 12,5 % de la población presentó obesidad, siendo esta mayor en hombres (16,9%) que en mujeres (8,9%). La prevalencia de SM fue del 7,8%, siendo mayor en hombres que en mujeres. El 57,7% de los hombres y el 29,4% de las mujeres con obesidad presentaban SM. Los trabajadores con más edad, tuvieron mayor prevalencia de SM. El criterio de SM más prevalente fue la hipertensión arterial. Todos los criterios de SM predominaron en varones a excepción del perímetro abdominal, que lo hizo en las mujeres. Conclusiones:1. Casi 8 de cada 100 trabajadores presentaron SM, siendo mayor la prevalencia en los varones. La obesidad aumentó de forma importante la prevalencia de SM. Los trabajadores con más edad, tuvieron mayor prevalencia de SM.2. El perímetro abdominal se asoció significativamente con todos los factores de riesgo relacionados con el SM con excepción de la glucosa elevada en los hombres

Background: The high increase of the metabolic syndrome (MS) on the occidental World, is increasing the cardiovascular disease. Since, as the presence of metabolic syndrome suggests the application of preventive measure neccesary, We studied, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and the cardiovascular risk factors (RF) in our laboral population. Methods: The sample included 345 workers, 191 females and 154 males. All the people passed a laboral chec-up at the year 2006. Results: Obesity was presented in 12.5% of the sample, 16.9% inmales, 8.9% in females. The prevalence of MS was 7.8%, being higher inmales than in females. 57.7% of obeses males presented MS and 29.4% of obeses females presented MS. The older worker presented higher prevalence of MS. The high blood pressure was the factor more prevalent, in worker with MS. All the factors of MS were more pevalent inmales, to exception of waist circumference.Conclusions:1. Almost 8% of workers presented MS, being higher the prevalance in males. The obesity increased of important manner the MS. The older worker had higher prevalence of MS.2. The waist circumference associated with all the FR related with MS

[Prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in laboral population. The heart of Asepeyo]. / Prevalencia de síndrome metabólico en población laboral: El corazón de Asepeyo.

BACKGROUND: The high increase of the metabolic syndrome (MS) on the occidental World, is increasing the cardiovascular disease. Since, as the presence of metabolic syndrome suggests the application of preventive measure necessary, We studied, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and the cardiovascular risk factors (RF) in our laboral population. METHODS: The sample included 345 workers, 191 females and 154 males. All the people passed a laboral check-up at the year 2006. RESULTS: Obesity was presented in 12.5% of the sample, 16.9% in males, 8.9% in females. The prevalence of MS was 7.8%, being higher in males than in females. 57.7% of obese males presented MS and 29.4% of obese females presented MS. The older worker presented higher prevalence of MS. The high blood pressure was the factor more prevalent, in worker with MS. All the factors of MS were more prevalent in males, to exception of waist circumference. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Almost 8% of workers presented MS, being higher the prevalence in males. The obesity increased of important manner the MS. The older worker had higher prevalence of MS. 2. The waist circumference associated with all the FR related with MS.

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation prevention by pacing in patients with pacemaker indication.

AIMS: The prevent-atrial fibrillation (AF) registry analyses the clinical relevance and usefulness of the four preventive pacing algorithms, available in a family of cardiac stimulators, to prevent atrial fibrillation. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study is a prospective, non-randomized, multicentre registry. Patients are eligible for the registry if they have sick sinus syndrome (SSS) with or without pre-existing atrial fibrillation. The preventive pacing algorithms were programmed for each patient on an individual basis using the diagnostic features of the devices. In the period from April 2000 to April 2001 a total of 68 patients (33 male, 35 female) has been included in the registry in 14 hospitals in Spain. Mean age was 72+/-12 years and the pacemaker indication was SSS in 15 patients (22%) and SSS with paroxysmal AF in 53 patients (78%). The median AF burden for the total group (n=32) was significantly reduced from 3.9 to 1.3% (67%, P=0.034, Wilcoxon signed rank test). The decrease in AF burden was accompanied by a non-significant decrease in the median number of episodes per day from 1.47 to 0.64 (a decrease of 56%). The average atrial pacing % was increased from 72 to 78%. CONCLUSIONS: The prevent-AF registry demonstrated the usefulness of four preventive pacing algorithms in daily clinical practice. During the registry a significant reduction in AF burden and all other endpoints was observed. Dedicated diagnostics were key to adapting the optimal pacing therapy during follow-up.

Removal of infected dual chambered transvenous pacemaker and implantation of a new epicardial dual chambered device with cardiopulmonary bypass: experience with seven cases.

Seven patients with infected transvenous dual chambered pacemakers have undergone removal of the device using cardiopulmonary bypass. There were four women and three men with a mean age of 58 years. Six patients had localized infection in the generator pocket (mean of 4.6 previous unsuccessful operations for surgical sterilization). Four infections were due to Staphylococcus epidermidis, two to Staphylococcus aureus, and one patient presented septicemia caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The atrial and ventricular transvenous electrodes were removed under direct vision using cardiopulmonary bypass. A new dual chambered epicardial pacemaker was implanted. The procedure was well-tolerated, and all patients are infection free with working pacemakers after a mean follow-up of 25.4 months.

Computerized information system for ICU patient management.

To solve the problem of data management, a digital computer was introduced in this ICU in 1977. Data are manually entered at the bedside alpha-numeric keyboards; two beds are directly connected to the computer. The system was especially designed to work in the 11-bed ICU; its functions are: (1) admission, discharge, and transfer data of patients; (2) management of doctors' and nurses' notes in a free text form; (3) management of the problem-oriented record; (4) management of physical and bio chemical variables, medical disorders, and fluid balance; and (5) diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making. Since 1977, the authors have computerized over 2600 patients and now conclude: (1) data management and communication have improved, thus, allowing nurses more time for direct patient care; (2) teaching of the residents and nurses has been facilitated and minimizes disparities from their diverse experience; (3) it has contributed to the development of protocols for many of the procedures; and (4) it has led to a more systematic approach to patient care. The assistance of a professional computer programmer and continuous maintenance of the software are essential.

[Pediatric intensive care (author's transl)]. / Cuidados intensivos pediátricos.

In the Intensive Care Unit of our General Hospital, where an important obstetric-pediatric unit exists, 392 infants have been treated from August 1974 to 1976. Although the results of all age groups are shown, the neonatal one is specially considered. All those patients who recovered and were discharged from the hospital were called for revision and the results of those whom attended are shown. The convinience of the regionalisation and hierarchisation of these intensive care units and the necessity of adequately organise the communication and transport of these patients from the peripheral small units to the regional one, is emphasized.

[Intermittent mandatory ventilation (author's transl)]. / Respiración con presión positiva intermitente mandatoria

Intermittent mechanical ventilation is a frequent form of therapy for respiratory failure in children. Due to its difficult application in patients with high respiratory rate and difficult synchronization with the respirator, intermittent mandatory ventilation (I.M.V.) was tried on these patients, introducing a unidirectional valve, connected to a continuous flow of gases, on the inspiratory side of the respirator. With I.M.V. the patient is able to breath spontaneously the gases coming from the unidirectional valve and at the same time the respirator provides periodical insuflations at a frequency previously determined by us. The pressure generated by the respirator in the respiratory circuit, closes the unidirectional valve sending gases to patient. This technique not only reduced time of application of mechanical ventilation but made weaning shorter, easier and safer.

[Massive pulmonary hemorrhage successfully treated with mechanical respiration and CPAP (author's transl)]. / Respiración con presión positiva continua en un caso de hemorragia pulmonar masiva del recién nacido

A newborn baby with massive pulmonary hemorrhage at two and a half hours of life is reported. She was successfully treated with mechanical respiration and continuous positive airway pressure. The pathogenetic mechanisms and mode of action of the applied treatment is discussed.