Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with acute respiratory syndrome by COVID-19.

Patients with COVID-19 who are admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) are at high risk of developing secondary infections, including invasive fungal infections such as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). The main purpose was to analyse the putative COVID-19 Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CAPA) patients in our setting. In these patients, we performed mycological culture in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for isolation of Aspergillus sp. We followed the AspICU algorithm to diagnose putative IPA. Moreover, we considered relevant the positivity of Galactomannan in BAL. We diagnosed putative IPA in 3 patients. The common features of these 3 patients were: more than 21 days of stay in ICU, severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and treatment with steroids (1 mg/kg per day). Therefore, CAPA has to be systematically considered although a new algorithm to diagnose it is needed to treat patients in early stages in order to avoid catastrophic outcomes.

Aspergilosis pulmonar invasiva en pacientes con síndrome de distrés respiratorio por COVID-19 / Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with acute respiratory syndrome by COVID-19

Los pacientes con COVID-19 que ingresan en una unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI), tienen un alto riesgo de desarrollar infecciones secundarias, incluyendo infecciones fúngicas invasivas como aspergilosis pulmonar invasiva (API). El objetivo principal fue el análisis de los casos con sospecha de COVID-19 Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CAPA) en nuestra unidad. En estos pacientes realizamos cultivo micológico en el lavado broncoalveolar como métodos de aislamiento de Aspergillus sp. Se siguió el algoritmo AspICU para establecer el diagnóstico de API probable. Además, considerando también relevante la positividad del antígeno de galactomanano. Se confirmó API probable en 3 de ellos. Los 3 pacientes permanecieron ingresados más de 21 días por SDRA grave, y recibieron corticoterapia (1mg/kg/día). Por tanto, la CAPA se debe considerar de forma sistemática, aunque se necesita un nuevo algoritmo diagnóstico que permita tratamiento precoz por las consecuencias deletéreas que puede implicar en los pacientes críticos.(AU)

Patients with COVID-19 who are admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) are at high risk of developing secondary infections, including invasive fungal infections such as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). The main purpose was to analyse the putative COVID-19 Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CAPA) patients in our setting. In these patients, we performed mycological culture in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for isolation of Aspergillus sp. We followed the AspICU algorithm to diagnose putative IPA. Moreover, we considered relevant the positivity of galactomannan in BAL. We diagnosed putative IPA in 3 patients. The common features of these 3 patients were: more than 21 days of stay in ICU, severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and treatment with steroids (1mg/kg per day). Therefore, CAPA has to be systematically considered although a new algorithm to diagnose it is needed to treat patients in early stages in order to avoid catastrophic outcomes.(AU)

[Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with acute respiratory syndrome by COVID-19]. / Aspergilosis pulmonar invasiva en pacientes con síndrome de distrés respiratorio por COVID-19.

Patients with COVID-19 who are admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) are at high risk of developing secondary infections, including invasive fungal infections such as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). The main purpose was to analyse the putative COVID-19 Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CAPA) patients in our setting. In these patients, we performed mycological culture in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for isolation of Aspergillus sp. We followed the AspICU algorithm to diagnose putative IPA. Moreover, we considered relevant the positivity of galactomannan in BAL. We diagnosed putative IPA in 3 patients. The common features of these 3 patients were: more than 21 days of stay in ICU, severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and treatment with steroids (1 mg/kg per day). Therefore, CAPA has to be systematically considered although a new algorithm to diagnose it is needed to treat patients in early stages in order to avoid catastrophic outcomes.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in patients with acute respiratory syndrome by COVID-19. / Aspergilosis pulmonar invasiva en pacientes con síndrome de distrés respiratorio por COVID-19.

Patients with COVID-19 who are admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) are at high risk of developing secondary infections, including invasive fungal infections such as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). The main purpose was to analyse the putative COVID-19 Associated Pulmonary Aspergillosis (CAPA) patients in our setting. In these patients, we performed mycological culture in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for isolation of Aspergillus sp. We followed the AspICU algorithm to diagnose putative IPA. Moreover, we considered relevant the positivity of galactomannan in BAL. We diagnosed putative IPA in 3 patients. The common features of these 3 patients were: more than 21 days of stay in ICU, severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and treatment with steroids (1mg/kg per day). Therefore, CAPA has to be systematically considered although a new algorithm to diagnose it is needed to treat patients in early stages in order to avoid catastrophic outcomes.

Laboratory prototype for experimental validation of MR-guided radiofrequency head and neck hyperthermia.

Clinical studies have established a strong benefit from adjuvant mild hyperthermia (HT) to radio- and chemotherapy for many tumor sites, including the head and neck (H&N). The recently developed HYPERcollar allows the application of local radiofrequency HT to tumors in the entire H&N. Treatment quality is optimized using electromagnetic and thermal simulators and, whenever placement risk is tolerable, assessed using invasively placed thermometers. To replace the current invasive procedure, we are investigating whether magnetic resonance (MR) thermometry can be exploited for continuous and 3D thermal dose assessment. In this work, we used our simulation tools to design an MR compatible laboratory prototype applicator. By simulations and measurements, we showed that the redesigned patch antennas are well matched to 50 Ω (S11<-10 dB). Simulations also show that, using 300 W input power, a maximum specific absorption rate (SAR) of 100 W kg(-1) and a temperature increase of 4.5 °C in 6 min is feasible at the center of a cylindrical fat/muscle phantom. Temperature measurements using the MR scanner confirmed the focused heating capabilities and MR compatibility of the setup. We conclude that the laboratory applicator provides the possibility for experimental assessment of the feasibility of hybrid MR-HT in the H&N region. This versatile design allows rigorous analysis of MR thermometry accuracy in increasingly complex phantoms that mimic patients' anatomies and thermodynamic characteristics.

[Tables estimating glomerular filtration rate from plasma creatinine]. / Tablas para la estimación del filtrado glomerular a partir de la creatinina plasmática.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its related complications have become an important health and social problem. Very expensive resources are required in end-stage renal disease, and both complications of CKD as well as the important associated cardiovascular risk demand for interventions long before renal substitution therapies are needed. Thus, early diagnosis of CKD is currently considered of paramount importance, and it is based essentially upon the estimation of the glomerular filtration rate by formulae such as the abbreviated equation of the MDRD study. Nevertheless, in spite of international published recommendations, an automatic calculation to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) from serum creatinine is not reported by most laboratories yet and the need for creatinine assay standardisation is far from being implemented. Thus, we have designed some tables to show the creatinine value corresponding to different GFR for ages between 20 and 90 y/o, at 5 years intervals and in both sexes with both the MDRD-4 and MDRD-IDMS equations (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease-Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry). Moreover, we have created a global table including an estimation of GFR from plasma creatinine, age and sex by the MDRD-IDMS formula, the recommended for those laboratories which measure serum creatinine with assays aligned to the reference method. These tables aim to increase the awareness of the different assays for serum creatinine and to facilitate the diagnosis of CKD converting serum creatinine into GFR. This action should allow not only the early detection but also the possibility to establish the appropriate medical actions recommended after CKD detection.

Tablas para la estimación del filtrado glomerular a partir de la creatinina plasmática / Tables for estimating glomerular filtration rate from plasma creatinine

La enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) y las complicaciones que de ella se derivan se ha convertido en un importante problema social y sanitario, tanto por los recursos que se requieren en los estadios finales de la enfermedad como por las complicaciones secundarias a la propia ERC y a su elevado riesgo cardiovascular asociado. Hoy se considera de gran valor el diagnóstico precoz, basándose la definición y la clasificación actuales fundamentalmente en la estimación del filtrado glomerular (FG) por medio de fórmulas como la ecuación abreviada del estudio MDRD. No obstante, a pesar de las recomendaciones internacionales, no en todos los laboratorios es posible el cálculo automático del FG a partir de la creatinina plasmática ni se ha enfatizado la necesidad de estandarización de los métodos de medición de la misma. Es por ello que hemos diseñado unas tablas en las que se ha calculado el valor de creatinina correspondiente a los diferentes FG con significación clínica para cada una de las edades comprendidas entre 20y 90 años y a intervalos de 5 años en ambos sexos con lasfórmulas MDRD-4 y MDRD-IDMS (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease-Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry). Además hemos creado una tabla que integra de forma global una estimación del FG a partir de la creatinina plasmática por el método MDRD-IDMS que es el recomendado para aquellos laboratorios que utilizan un método de medición de la creatinina con trazabilidad respecto al método de referencia de espectrometría de masas por dilución isotópica. Estas tablas pretenden, no sólo incrementar la conciencia de la existencia de distintos ensayos en la medida de la creatinina sérica que influyen sobre la estimación del FG, sino también el facilitar el diagnóstico de la ERC a partir de la conversión de la creatinina plasmática en FG, para permitirá sí el diagnóstico precoz y el establecimiento de las acciones precisas que se recomiendan tras su detección (AU)

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its related complications have become an important health and social problem. Very expensive resources are required in end-stage renal disease, and both complications of CKD as well as the important associated cardiovascular risk demand for interventions long before renal substitution therapies are needed. Thus, early diagnosis of CKD is currently considered of paramount importance, and it is based essentially upon the estimation of the glomerular filtration rate by formulae such as the abbreviated equation of the MDRD study. Nevertheless, in spite of international published recommendations, an automatic calculation to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) from serum creatinine is not reported by most laboratories yet and the need for creatinine as say standardisation is far from being implemented. Thus, we have designed some tables to show the creatinine value corresponding to different GFR for ages between 20 and 90 y/o, at 5years intervals and in both sexes with both the MDRD-4 and MDRD-IDMS equations (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease-Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry). Moreover, we have created a global table including an estimation of GFR from plasma creatinine, age and sex by the MDRD-IDMS formula, the recommended for those laboratories which measure serum creatinine with assays aligned to the reference method. These tables aim to increase the awareness of the different assays for serum creatinine and to facilitate the diagnosis of CKD converting serum creatinine into GFR. This action should allow not only the early detection but also the possibility to establish the appropriate medical actions recommended after CKD detection (AU)

Robotización de la farmacia comunitaria aplicada a la farmacia hospitalaria: un nuevo reto / No disponible

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[Relationship between ignorance of own weight and cardiovascular risk in primary care]. / Relación entre el desconocimiento del propio peso y el riesgo cardiovascular en atención primaria.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate what health-care users know about their own weight, the distribution of body fat and the relationship of their level of knowledge with cardiovascular risk factors. DESIGN: Descriptive cross-sectional study.Setting. Urban health centre. PARTICIPANTS: 240 patients between 15 and 69, chosen by consecutive sampling. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Survey, analysis (n=100), body measurements and sphygmomanometry were done. RESULTS: 80.8% of users knew their weight to over-95% accuracy. The biggest errors were found in older patients and in women. There was great prevalence of male-style obesity (71.3%), even among women. The population with greatest errors in knowing their own weight were at greater cardiovascular risk. CONCLUSIONS: In elderly people, age and sex condition the Body Mass Index and their ignorance of their own weight. There is a relationship between this variable and cardiovascular risk factors. This relationship supports the taking of individual-specific health education measures on obesity in primary care.

Relación entre el desconocimiento del propio peso y el riesgo cardiovascular en atención primaria / Relationship between ignorance of own weight and cardiovascular risk in primary care

Objetivos. Evaluar el conocimiento del propio peso por parte de los usuarios, así como la distribución de la grasa corporal y la relación del grado de conocimiento con los factores de riesgo cardiovascular. Diseño. Estudio transversal descriptivo. Emplazamiento. Centro de salud urbano. Participantes. Un total de 240 pacientes entre 15 y 69 años de edad, elegidos según muestreo consecutivo. Mediciones principales. Se ha realizado una encuesta y una analítica (n = 100), y se han recogido medidas antropométricas y de esfigmomanometría. Resultados. El 80,8 por ciento de los usuarios conocía su peso con una exactitud superior al 95 por ciento; ae encontraron los mayores errores en pacientes mayores y en mujeres. Destacó la alta prevalencia de obesidad tipo androide (71,3 por ciento), incluso en la población femenina. La población con mayor error de apreciación del propio peso presentaba un mayor riesgo cardiovascular. Conclusiones. En personas mayores, la edad y el sexo condicionan el índice de masa corporal (lMC) y el desconocimiento del propio peso. Existe una relación entre esta variable y los factores de riesgo cardiovascular que apoya la individualización de las medidas de educación sanitaria en atención primaria para el abordaje de la obesidad (AU)

¿Puede ser de interés en atención primaria la satisfacción con el propio peso ? / Is satisfaction with one's own weigth relevant in primary care?

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Effects of prazosin and alphamethyldopa on blood lipids and lipoproteins in hypertensive patients.

The effects of prazosin and alphamethyldopa on blood lipids and lipoproteins were assessed in 20 patients with mild or moderate arterial hypertension. Parameters measured included serum cholesterol (CHO), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-CHO), insulin (I), glucose (G), and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA). Prazosin -4 mg/day for 6 weeks in hydrochlorothiazide-treated patients lowered blood pressure by 18.6/17.2 (systolic/diastolic pressure) mmHg. There was a significant decrease in CHO (-5.8%), in I (-16.5%), and in NEFA (-3.0%), and a significant increase in HDL-CHO (+15.5%). Alphamethyldopa 250-750 mg/day for 6 weeks in hydrochlorothiazide-treated patients lowered blood pressure by 18.8/14.6 (systolic/diastolic pressure) mmHg, accompanied by a non-significant decrease in CHO and TG, and significant increases in HDL-CHO (+10.3%), G (+8.5%) and NEFA (+6.4%). Thus, prazosin appears to have a more beneficial effect on blood lipids and lipoproteins than alphamethyldopa.

Haemodynamic effects of enalapril, a new converting enzyme inhibitor, in hypertensive patients.

The haemodynamic effects of enalapril (EN), a new, long-acting, nonsulphhydryl converting enzyme inhibitor, were evaluated by non-invasive methods in 10 adult patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension (EH). Patients were randomly assigned, double blind to 2 treatment groups (EN 20 mg o.d. or 10 mg b.d.) for 4 weeks, and were crossed over to the other dosage regimen after a 2-week washout period. Measurements included mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), limb blood flow (LBF), plasma aldosterone (ALD), plasma renin activity (PRA) and systolic time intervals (STI). Both regimens (b.d. and o.d.) significantly reduced MAP (15.3% and 16.3%, respectively), total peripheral resistance (20.3% and 21.8%, respectively), limb vascular resistance (24.1% and 24.9%) and ALD (33.5% and 36.9%) and increased CO (7.8% and 8.7%), LBF (10.9% and 11.6%) and PRA (10.4% and 9.5%). No significant change was observed in HR or STI. EN 20 mg o.d. or 10 mg b.d. reduced arterial pressure to a similar extent through a fall in total peripheral resistance. An increase in CO was also observed.

Effect of prazosin on blood lipids and on thyroid function in hypertensive patients.

Nineteen patients with essential hypertension (EH) were studied as outpatients. After administration of chlorthalidone, 50 mg/day for 4 weeks, prazosin 1-4 mg/day (1.82 +/- 0.33 mg/day) was added for a period of 12 weeks. Prazosin lowered supine blood pressure from 149.7 +/- 2.85/102.0 +/- 2.75 mm Hg to 128.2 +/- 3.0/86.1 +/- 1.04 mm Hg (p less than 0.001). Prazosin did not alter heart rate significantly. Prazosin increased the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) from 3.63 +/- 0.33 microunits/ml to 4.83 +/- 0.45 microunits/ml (p less than 0.025), thyroxine (T4) from 10.03 +/- 0.29 micrograms/ml to 10.85 +/- 0.42 micrograms/ml (p less than 0.005), and decreased triiodothyronine (T3) from 36.65 +/- 0.62% to 35.42 +/- 0.56%, which was not significant. The free thyroxine index (FTI) increased slightly from 3.67 +/- 0.12 to 3.83 +/- 0.14 (p less than 0.025). However, all values remained within the normal range for the laboratory. Serum cholesterol increased insignificantly. Triglycerides decreased significantly from 223.4 +/- 50.6 mg/dl to 161.7 +/- 29.0 mg/dl (p less than 0.05). High density lipoproteins (HDL) increased significantly from 30.1 +/- 2.1% to 36.0 +/- 3.06 (p less than 0.025). Low density lipoproteins (LDL) decreased insignificantly and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) decreased from 20.9 +/- 3.44 to 16.3 +/- 2.85 (p less than 0.005). The cholesterol ratio increased from 45.51 +/- 4.3 to 64.71 +/- 10.7 (+42.1%). These results indicate that, in patients with essential hypertension, prazosin is an effective antihypertensive agent and that it significantly increases HDL, decreases VLDL, and improves the cholesterol ratio.