Clinical usefulness and safety of an age-adjusted D-dimer cutoff levels to exclude pulmonary embolism: a retrospective analysis.

Age-adjusted D-dimer (AADD) appears to increase the proportion of patients in whom pulmonary embolism (PE) can safely be excluded compared with conventional D-dimer (CDD), according to a limited number of studies. The aim if this study was to assess whether the use of an AADD might safely increase the clinical usefulness of CDD for the diagnosis of PE in our setting. Three hundred and sixty two consecutive outpatients with clinically suspected PE in whom plasma samples were obtained to measure D-dimer were included in this post hoc analysis of a previous study. CDD cutoff value was 500 ng/mL and AADD was calculated as (patient's age × 10) ng/mL in patients aged >50. Sensitivity, specificity, clinical usefulness (i.e., proportion of true-negative tests among all patients with suspected PE), and the proportion of false negatives were calculated for both AADD and CDD among patients with low-to-moderate clinical probability of PE according to Well's criteria. PE was confirmed in 98 patients (27%). Among 331 patients with low-to-moderate clinical probability of PE, sensitivity and clinical usefulness were 100 and 27.8% for CDD, respectively, and 100 and 36.5% for AADD, respectively. In 29 patients aged >50 with CDD >500 ng/mL, AADD showed values under its normal cutoff point, without false negatives for the diagnosis of PE (0%, 95% CI 0-11%). AADD increases clinical usefulness notably with respect to that of CDD in patients with clinical suspected PE without losing sensitivity in our cohort. The use of AADD apparently does not reduce the safety of CDD for the exclusion of PE.

Normativa sobre el diagnóstico y tratamiento del derrame pleural. Actualización / Recommendations of Diagnosis and Treatment of Pleural Effusion. Update

A pesar de los múltiples avances diagnósticos o terapéuticos de la medicina de los últimos años, el derrame pleural (DP) continúa siendo una de las enfermedades que con frecuencia tiene que abordar el especialista de aparato respiratorio o el cirujano torácico. El presente texto no tiene como objetivo realizar una revisión exhaustiva sobre las enfermedades que pueden producir DP, su diagnóstico o su tratamiento, sino constituir una actualización de los conocimientos publicados en los últimos años. Teniendo en cuenta la vocación eminentemente práctica de esta normativa, se ha concedido más extensión a las enfermedades que presentan una mayor incidencia o prevalencia, aunque no hemos renunciado a un ligero recordatorio de otras menos frecuentes. Entre los mayores avances destacan los conocimientos sobre la utilidad de la ecografía torácica, los fibrinolíticos y los agentes pleurodésicos, o la utilización de nuevas técnicas de drenaje pleural, como los tubos torácicos finos o los catéteres tunelizados. La actualización periódica de las normativas favorece la potencial incorporación de nuevas técnicas en el estudio de la enfermedad pleural

Although during the last few years there have been several important changes in the diagnostic or therapeutic methods, pleural effusion is still one of the diseases that the respiratory specialist have to evaluate frequently. The aim of this paper is to update the knowledge about pleural effusions, rather than to review the causes of pleural diseases exhaustively. These recommendations have a longer extension for the subjects with a direct clinical usefulness, but a slight update of other pleural diseases has been also included. Among the main scientific advantages are included the thoracic ultrasonography, the intrapleural fibrinolytics, the pleurodesis agents, or the new pleural drainages techniques

Recommendations of diagnosis and treatment of pleural effusion. Update.

Although during the last few years there have been several important changes in the diagnostic or therapeutic methods, pleural effusion is still one of the diseases that the respiratory specialist have to evaluate frequently. The aim of this paper is to update the knowledge about pleural effusions, rather than to review the causes of pleural diseases exhaustively. These recommendations have a longer extension for the subjects with a direct clinical usefulness, but a slight update of other pleural diseases has been also included. Among the main scientific advantages are included the thoracic ultrasonography, the intrapleural fibrinolytics, the pleurodesis agents, or the new pleural drainages techniques.

Factor de necrosis tumoral como marcador de inflamación precoz en fumadores sanos / Tumor necrosis factor as an early marker of inflammation in healthy smokers

Fundamento y objetivo: El tabaco produce una inflamación que conduce a pérdida de función pulmonar. El tumoral necrosis factor α (TNF-α, «factor de necrosis tumoral α») es una citocina implicada en la patogenia de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica. Necesitamos desarrollar métodos que permitan detectar precozmente a los fumadores en riesgo de pérdida de función pulmonar. Los objetivos de este trabajo fueron: demostrar que los fumadores tienen valores más elevados de TNF-α en suero y condensado de aire exhalado (CAE); valorar la influencia de sexo, edad y peso en dichos valores; conocer la relación entre consumo de tabaco y función pulmonar con los valores de TNF-α. Pacientes y método: Grupo estudio y control sin patología. Realización de espirometría con test broncodilatador, recogida de CAE y extracción sanguínea previa al abandono del tabaco. Análisis estadístico con SPSS 11.0. Resultados: Se incluyeron 51 pacientes (60,8% fumadores), un 56,9% mujeres, con una edad media de 39,88 años. Los fumadores tenían un consumo medio de 21,68 cigarrillos/día y una edad media de inicio de 15,77 años. Los fumadores tenían valores significativamente más elevados de TNF-α en suero (p<0,043); los valores en CAE no mostraban diferencias. De los parámetros de consumo de tabaco, solo la edad de inicio y el TNF-α plasmático guardaban correlación. De la función pulmonar, solo la capacidad vital forzada y el volumen espirado durante el primer segundo guardaban relación con el TNF-α plasmático. Conclusiones: Los fumadores tienen valores más elevados de TNF-α en suero. La cuantía de años de consumo de tabaco influye en los valores de TNF-α plasmáticos. Existe una discreta relación de la función pulmonar con los valores de TNF-α en suero. Los valores de TNF en CAE no muestran diferencias ni correlaciones significativas (AU)

Background and objectives: Smoking creates an inflammation that leads to lose of lung function. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is a cytokine that plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. There is a need to develop methods for an early detection of an impaired lung function in smokers. We aimed to show that smokers have higher levels of TNF-α in serum and exhaled breath condensate (EBC). We also analysed the influence of sex, age and weight on TNF-α, and determined the association between smoking, pulmonary function and TNF-α.Patients and methods: Prospective study of smokers and non-smokers without any known disease. Respiratory function tests, EBC and blood samples were performed before smoking cessation. Statistical analysis: SPSS 11.0. Results: Fifty-one patients (60.8% smokers), 56.9% females, mean age 39.88 years old. Smokers initiated at an age of 15.77 years; the mean of cigarettes/day was 21.68. Significant differences in TNF-α serum levels between smokers and non-smokers were observed (P<.043). Differences did not reach significance for EBC. For tobacco consumption data, only age at smoking initiation and serum TNF-α levels had a correlation. A significant relation between TNF-α serum levels and forced expiratory volume in one second and forced vital capacity was found. Conclusions: Smokers show higher TNF-α levels in serum. Number of years of smoking has an influence on TNF-α levels. There is a modest corelation between pulmonary function and plasma TNF-α levels, but not for EBC (AU)

[Tumor necrosis factor as an early marker of inflammation in healthy smokers]. / Factor de necrosis tumoral como marcador de inflamación precoz en fumadores sanos.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Smoking creates an inflammation that leads to lose of lung function. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) is a cytokine that plays an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. There is a need to develop methods for an early detection of an impaired lung function in smokers. We aimed to show that smokers have higher levels of TNF-α in serum and exhaled breath condensate (EBC). We also analysed the influence of sex, age and weight on TNF-α, and determined the association between smoking, pulmonary function and TNF-α. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective study of smokers and non-smokers without any known disease. Respiratory function tests, EBC and blood samples were performed before smoking cessation. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: SPSS 11.0. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients (60.8% smokers), 56.9% females, mean age 39.88 years old. Smokers initiated at an age of 15.77 years; the mean of cigarettes/day was 21.68. Significant differences in TNF-α serum levels between smokers and non-smokers were observed (P<.043). Differences did not reach significance for EBC. For tobacco consumption data, only age at smoking initiation and serum TNF-α levels had a correlation. A significant relation between TNF-α serum levels and forced expiratory volume in one second and forced vital capacity was found. CONCLUSIONS: Smokers show higher TNF-α levels in serum. Number of years of smoking has an influence on TNF-α levels. There is a modest correlation between pulmonary function and plasma TNF-α levels, but not for EBC.

[Cardiovascular risk factors in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: results of the ARCE study]. / Asociación de factores de riesgo cardiovascular y EPOC. Resultados de un estudio epidemiológico (estudio ARCE).

OBJECTIVE: Cardiovascular disease is a common cause of death in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is not clear whether the high cardiovascular comorbidity is due to an increase in traditional risk factors or whether, in contrast, COPD can be considered an independent risk factor. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of risk factors and cardiovascular comorbidity in a community-based population treated for COPD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a concurrent multicenter, cross-sectional study that included 572 patients with confirmed diagnosis of COPD. Information on cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidity was collected by extracting data from the medical records of the participating center. RESULTS: The mean (SD) forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was 53.7% (16.85%) of predicted and the ratio of FEV1 to forced vital capacity was 57.9% (10.9%). Hypertension was reported in 53%, obesity in 27%, dyslipidemia in 26%, and diabetes in 23% of the patients. The prevalence of risk factors was not related to disease severity, but there was a trend towards an association with age. In the study group, 16.4% had ischemic heart disease, 7% cerebrovascular disease, and 17% peripheral vascular disease. Cardiovascular disease was not associated with COPD severity, but such an association was reported for age and traditional risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiovascular risk factors are highly prevalent in patients with COPD. The prevalence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease exceeds that reported in the general population. No relationship was found between the severity of airflow obstruction and the presence of cardiovascular comorbidity.

Asociación de factores de riesgo cardiovascular y EPOC. Resultados de un estudio epidemiológico (estudio ARCE) / Cardiovascular risk factors in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: results of the ARCE study

Objetivo: La enfermedad cardiovascular es una causa de muerte frecuente en los pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC). No está claro si el exceso de comorbilidad cardiovascular se relaciona con un incremento de factores de riesgo clásicos o si, por el contrario, la EPOC puede considerarse un factor de riesgo independiente. El objetivo de este estudio ha sido analizar la prevalencia de factores de riesgo y comorbilidad cardiovascular en una población atendida en la comunidad por presentar EPOC. Pacientes y métodos: Se ha realizado un estudio multicéntrico, concurrente y transversal, en el que se incluyó a 572 pacientes con diagnóstico confirmado de EPOC. Se recogieron datos de factores de riesgo y comorbilidad cardiovascular extraídos de la historia clínica del centro. Resultados: El valor medio ± desviación estándar del volumen espiratorio forzado en el primer segundo era del 53,7 ± 16,85% y la relación volumen espiratorio forzado en el primer segundo/capacidad vital forzada del 57,9 ± 10,9%. La prevalencia de hipertensión arterial era del 53%, la de obesidad del 27%, la de dislipemia del 26% y la de diabetes del 23%. La prevalencia de factores de riesgo no se relacionó con la gravedad de la enfermedad, pero sí había una tendencia de asociación con la edad. La prevalencia de cardiopatía isquémica fue del 16,4%, la de enfermedad cerebrovascular del 7% y la de enfermedad vascular periférica del 17%. La prevalencia de comorbilidad vascular no se relacionó con la gravedad de la enfermedad, pero sí con la edad y los factores de riesgo clásicos. Conclusiones: Los pacientes con EPOC muestran una elevada prevalencia de factores de riesgo cardiovascular. La prevalencia de enfermedad cardiovascular y cerebrovascular excede la comunicada en población general. No se ha observado relación entre la gravedad de la obstrucción al flujo aéreo y la presencia de comorbilidad cardiovascular

Objective: Cardiovascular disease is a common cause of death in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is not clear whether the high cardiovascular comorbidity is due to an increase in traditional risk factors or whether, in contrast, COPD can be considered an independent risk factor. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of risk factors and cardiovascular comorbidity in a community-based population treated for COPD. Patients and methods: This was a concurrent multicenter, cross-sectional study that included 572 patients with confirmed diagnosis of COPD. Information on cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidity was collected by extracting data from the medical records of the participating center. Results: The mean (SD) forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was 53.7% (16.85%) of predicted and the ratio of FEV1 to forced vital capacity was 57.9% (10.9%). Hypertension was reported in 53%, obesity in 27%, dyslipidemia in 26%, and diabetes in 23% of the patients. The prevalence of risk factors was not related to disease severity, but there was a trend towards an association with age. In the study group, 16.4% had ischemic heart disease, 7% cerebrovascular disease, and 17% peripheral vascular disease. Cardiovascular disease was not associated with COPD severity, but such an association was reported for age and traditional risk factors. Conclusions: Cardiovascular risk factors are highly prevalent in patients with COPD. The prevalence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease exceeds that reported in the general population. No relationship was found between the severity of airflow obstruction and the presence of cardiovascular comorbidity

Diagnóstico y tratamiento del derrame pleural / Diagnosis and treatment of pleural effusion

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Etiology and prognostic significance of massive pleural effusions.

It has been stated that malignancy is the most common aetiology of massive pleural effusions. To determine the most frequent causes of massive pleural effusions and to assess the diagnostic yield of different diagnostic procedures and survival, we prospectively studied 1084 patients with pleural effusion. Massive pleural effusions were identified in 121 of 1084 patients (11.2%). Compared with non-massive pleural effusions, massive pleural effusions were significantly more likely to be malignant (53.7% vs. 38.3%, P=0.03) or secondary to cirrhosis (9.9% vs. 2.6%, P=0.0000). On the other hand, massive pleural effusions were significantly less likely to be secondary to infection (10.7% vs. 19.2%, P=0.003) or congestive heart failure (0.8% vs. 6.7%, P=0.03). There was a significant increase in the yield of diagnostic studies in patients with massive malignant pleural effusions (56.9% for cytological studies and 36.9% for biopsies). On the other hand, there was no difference in the diagnostic yield of microbiological and histological studies in the group of tuberculous pleural effusions. In our study population, patients with non-massive malignant pleural effusions had a significantly better survival than those with massive malignant pleural effusions, with a median survival of 8 months (95% confidence interval, 7-9) compared with 5 months (95% confidence interval, 4-6) (P=0.0009). We conclude that malignancy is the most common cause of a massive exudative effusion. Massive malignant pleural effusions are associated with worse survival, independent of age and histologic subgroup, than are non-massive malignant pleural effusions.

Incidence of air travel-related pulmonary embolism at the Madrid-Barajas airport.

BACKGROUND: Prolonged air travel and the associated immobilization are risk factors for venous thromboembolism. The occurrence of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) under these circumstances is referred to as economy class syndrome. We assessed the incidence of symptomatic PTE in passengers on long-haul flights arriving at Madrid-Barajas Airport, Madrid, Spain, and the association with the number of flight hours. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed cases of PTE among international travelers arriving at Madrid-Barajas Airport between January 1995 and December 2000. Patients presenting with symptoms of deep venous thrombosis but without symptoms of PTE were excluded. Pulmonary thromboembolism was identified using an algorithm of diagnostic tests. The incidence of PTE and the association with flight duration was assessed. RESULTS: The average number of passengers per year who arrived at the airport on flights originating abroad in the period analyzed was 6 839 222. Sixteen cases of PTE were detected over the 6-year period. All patients with travel-associated PTE had flight durations of greater than 6 hours. The overall incidence of PTE was 0.39 per 1 million passengers (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.20-0.58). On flights that lasted between 6 and 8 hours, the incidence was 0.25 per 1 million passengers (95% CI, 0-0.75), while on flights longer than 8 hours, the incidence was 1.65 per 1 million passengers (95% CI, 0.81-2.49) (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Air travel is a risk factor for PTE, and the incidence of PTE increases with the duration of the air travel. However, the low incidence of PTE among long-distance passengers, similar to that observed in other international airports, does not justify social alarm.

Tissue plasminogen activator plasma levels as a potential diagnostic aid in acute pulmonary embolism.

CONTEXT: Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a potentially fatal and frequent complication of deep venous thrombosis, and the most reliable techniques for the diagnosis of PE are not universally available and have other limitations. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of 4 different fibrinolysis system parameters, namely, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1), plasmin-antiplasmin complexes (PAP), and D-dimer, in the diagnosis of acute PE. SETTING: A 350-bed university hospital serving an area with 280,000 inhabitants. PATIENTS: Sixty-six consecutive outpatients with clinically suspected PE. The diagnosis of PE was based on ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) lung scan in combination with clinical assessment, lower limb study, and (when required) pulmonary angiography. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: At the moment of clinical suspicion, a sample of venous blood was obtained to measure levels of tPA, PAI-1, PAP, and D-dimer using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients (41%) were classified as PE positive (high clinical probability and V/Q lung scan [n = 12], nondiagnostic V/Q lung scan and high clinical probability [n = 1], inconclusive V/Q lung scan and positive lower limb examination for deep venous thrombosis [n = 11], and positive pulmonary angiography [n = 3]), and 39 patients (59%) were classified PE negative. The sensitivity/negative predictive value for tPA, using a cutoff of 8.5 ng/mL, and PAI-1, using a cutoff of 15 ng/mL, were 100%/100% and 100%/100%, respectively. A tPA level lower than 8.5 ng/mL occurred in 13 (19.7%; all PE negative) of 66 patients with suspected PE, and PAI-1 levels were lower than 15 ng/mL in 9 (13.6%; all PE negative) of 66 patients with suspected PE. The D-dimer, using a cutoff of 500 ng/mL, showed a sensitivity and negative predictive value of 92.6% and 87.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that tPA and PAI-1 levels are potentially useful in ruling out PE, although tPA seems to be the better parameter. The sensitivity levels and negative predictive values for the rapid enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for D-dimer used in this investigation were low compared with previous studies using the same test.

Prolongación de la profilaxis de la tromboembolia venosa tras la hospitalización / Prolonged out of hospital prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism

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