Estudio observacional multicéntrico retrospectivo sobre el manejo clínico y terapéutico de los diferentes tipos de estatus epiléptico en la práctica clínica / Retrospective multicentre observational study on clinical management and treatment of different types of status epilepticus in clinical practice

Introducción: El estatus epiléptico es una urgencia neurológica asociada a una mortalidad y morbilidad significativa. Analizamos las características en nuestra población. Métodos: Se recogieron los datos de manera retrospectiva de la historia clínica electrónica de adultos con diagnóstico de estatus epiléptico en 5 centros hospitalarios durante 4 años. Resultados: Se obtuvieron datos de un total de 84 episodios en 77 pacientes, con edad media de 60,3 años. El 52,4% tenían historia previa de epilepsia. Clasificación según el tipo de estatus: 47,6% tónico-clónico; 21,4% parcial complejo; 17,9% parcial motor; 6% parcial simple; 3,6% mioclónico y 3,6% sutil. Si analizamos el momento que finalizó el estatus según las fases definidas para este estudio obtenemos: 13,1% precoz (hasta 30 min); 20,2% establecido (entre 30-120 min); 41,7% refractario (más de 120 min) y 13,1% superrefractario (continúan o recurren después de más de 24 h de anestesia). Diez casos (11,9%) fallecieron sin haberse controlado el estatus. El porcentaje acumulativo de éxito alcanzado con el primer tratamiento fue de 8,3%; segundo 27,3%; tercero 48,7%; cuarto 58,2%; quinto 70,1%; sexto 80,8%; séptimo 83,2% y octavo 84,4%. Conclusiones: En nuestro estudio encontramos que el estatus no se controló en las primeras 2 h en casi la mitad de los casos, y un 11,9% fallecieron sin controlarse, sin haber diferencias significativas entre el tipo de estatus. En casi la mitad se logró el control del estatus con el tercer tratamiento, pero en algún caso se precisó hasta 8. Son necesarios registros amplios que permitan analizar el manejo en los distintos tipos y fases (AU)

Introduction: Status epilepticus (SE) is a neurological emergency associated with significant mortality and morbidity. We analyse characteristics of this entity in our population. Methods: Data from electronic medical records of adults diagnosed with SE were collected retrospectively from 5 hospitals over 4 years. Results: Data reflected 84 episodes of SE in 77 patients with a mean age of 60.3 years. Of this sample, 52.4% had a previous history of epilepsy. Status classification: 47.6% tonic-clonic, 21.4% complex partial, 17.9% partial motor, 6% partial simple, 3.6% myoclonic, and 3.6% subtle SE. Based on the duration of the episode, SE was defined in this study as early stage (up to 30 min) in 13.1%, established (30-120 min) in 20.2%, refractory (more than 120 min) in 41.7%, and super-refractory (episodes continuing or recurring after more than 24h of anaesthesia) in 13.1%. Ten patients (11.9%) died when treatment failed to control SE. The cumulative percentage of success achieved was 8.3% with the first treatment, 27.3% for the second, 48.7% for the third, 58.2% for the fourth, 70.1% for the fifth, 80.8% for the sixth, 83.2% for the seventh, and 84.4% for the eighth. Conclusions: In our study, we found that SE did not respond to treatment within 2h in approximately half the cases and 11.9% of the patients died without achieving seizure control, regardless of the type of status. Half the patients responded by the third treatment but some patients needed as many as 8 treatments to resolve seizures. Using large registers permitting analysis of the different types and stages of SE is warranted (AU)

Retrospective multicentre observational study on clinical management and treatment of different types of status epilepticus in clinical practice. / Estudio observacional multicéntrico retrospectivo sobre el manejo clínico y terapéutico de los diferentes tipos de estatus epiléptico en la práctica clínica.

INTRODUCTION: Status epilepticus (SE) is a neurological emergency associated with significant mortality and morbidity. We analyse characteristics of this entity in our population. METHODS: Data from electronic medical records of adults diagnosed with SE were collected retrospectively from 5 hospitals over 4 years. RESULTS: Data reflected 84 episodes of SE in 77 patients with a mean age of 60.3 years. Of this sample, 52.4% had a previous history of epilepsy. Status classification: 47.6% tonic-clonic, 21.4% complex partial, 17.9% partial motor, 6% partial simple, 3.6% myoclonic, and 3.6% subtle SE. Based on the duration of the episode, SE was defined in this study as early stage (up to 30min) in 13.1%, established (30-120min) in 20.2%, refractory (more than 120min) in 41.7%, and super-refractory (episodes continuing or recurring after more than 24h of anaesthesia) in 13.1%. Ten patients (11.9%) died when treatment failed to control SE. The cumulative percentage of success achieved was 8.3% with the first treatment, 27.3% for the second, 48.7% for the third, 58.2% for the fourth, 70.1% for the fifth, 80.8% for the sixth, 83.2% for the seventh, and 84.4% for the eighth. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, we found that SE did not respond to treatment within 2h in approximately half the cases and 11.9% of the patients died without achieving seizure control, regardless of the type of status. Half the patients responded by the third treatment but some patients needed as many as 8 treatments to resolve seizures. Using large registers permitting analysis of the different types and stages of SE is warranted.

Influencia de la comorbilidad médica y neuropsiquiátrica en la evolución de la epilepsia infantil / Influence of medical and neuropsychiatric comorbidities on the course of childhood epilepsy

INTRODUCCIÓN: El creciente reconocimiento de la comorbilidad y su carga plantea la necesidad de incluir en el manejo de los pacientes con epilepsia su investigación, prevención y tratamiento. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo de todos los pacientes con epilepsia, perteneciente a un área suburbana de la Comunidad de Madrid, seguidos en consulta al menos durante un año. Excluimos a menores de 2 años, las crisis febriles y sintomáticas agudas. RESULTADOS: Incluimos a 46 pacientes (54% varones y edad media 9,1 años). El 52,5% en monoterapia. El 45,7% «libre de crisis», el 23,9% epilepsia «farmacorresistente» y el 30,4% «indeterminada». El 28,3% tenía patología médica crónica asociada y un 41,3% neuropsiquiátrica. El 32,6% acudió de manera imprevista por crisis, con un riesgo de 15 y 8,3 veces mayor aquellos con comorbilidad médica crónica y neuropsiquiátrica respecto al de los pacientes sin comorbilidades. CONCLUSIONES: La comorbilidad puede desempeñar un papel importante en el curso de la epilepsia

INTRODUCTION: Comorbidity has a significant influence in the management of patients with epilepsy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive study of all patients with epilepsy, from a suburban area in the Community of Madrid followed up for at least 1 year. Children under 2 years, those with symptomatic acute febrile seizures were excluded. RESULTS: Out of a total of 46 patients (54% male, age median 9.1 years), more than half (52.5%) were on monotherapy, 45.7% were ''free of seizures'', 23.9% had ''drug resistant epilepsy'', and 30.4% were ''undetermined''. As regards comorbidities, 28.3% had chronic medical conditions, and 41.3% associated neuropsychiatric disorders. In32.6%, the seizures were of sudden onset, and those with chronic medical and neuropsychiatric comorbidities had a risk of 15 and 8.3 times, respectively, than those patients without comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Comorbidities may have an important role in the course of epilepsy

[Influence of medical and neuropsychiatric comorbidities on the course of childhood epilepsy]. / Influencia de la comorbilidad médica y neuropsiquiátrica en la evolución de la epilepsia infantil.

INTRODUCTION: Comorbidity has a significant influence in the management of patients with epilepsy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A descriptive study of all patients with epilepsy, from a suburban area in the Community of Madrid followed up for at least 1 year. Children under 2 years, those with symptomatic acute febrile seizures were excluded. RESULTS: Out of a total of 46 patients (54% male, age median 9.1 years), more than half (52.5%) were on monotherapy, 45.7% were "free of seizures", 23.9% had "drug resistant epilepsy", and 30.4% were "undetermined". As regards comorbidities, 28.3% had chronic medical conditions, and 41.3% associated neuropsychiatric disorders. In32.6%, the seizures were of sudden onset, and those with chronic medical and neuropsychiatric comorbidities had a risk of 15 and 8.3 times, respectively, than those patients without comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Comorbidities may have an important role in the course of epilepsy.

Medidas de calidad en la atención a pacientes con epilepsia en la consulta de neurología / Quality measures in neurology consult care for epileptic patients

Introducción: La epilepsia es una de las afecciones que con más frecuencia atendemos en las consultas externas de neurología. Métodos: Analizamos la aplicación en nuestro centro de las 8 medidas sobre calidad en el cuidado de pacientes con epilepsia propuestas por la Academia Americana de Neurología: tipo de crisis y frecuencia de crisis, etiología de la epilepsia o síndrome epiléptico, resultados electroencefalograma, neuroimagen, aconsejar sobre efectos adversos de los fármacos antiepilépticos, remisión de los casos de epilepsia refractaria, consejos sobre cuestiones de seguridad y a mujeres en edad fértil. Resultados: En la mayoría de los casos estaba documentado adecuadamente las 4 primeras medidas de calidad. En el 66% se había preguntado sobre efectos adversos de los fármacos en todas las visitas. En casi todas las epilepsias intratables se había propuesto o remitido aun centro de referencia quirúrgico para la valoración en algún momento de la enfermedad, aunque generalmente hacía más de 3 a˜nos de la propuesta. Un 37% de los pacientes habían sido aconsejados sobre cuestiones de seguridad y menos de la mitad de las mujeres con epilepsia en edad fértil habían recibido consejos relativos a anticonceptivos y embarazo al menos una vez al año. Conclusiones: Realizamos una atención adecuada de acuerdo con las medidas de calidad en muchos de los aspectos clínicos, pero debemos mejorar la administración de consejos e información necesaria para el cuidado del paciente con epilepsia en las diferentes etapas de la vida

Introduction: Epilepsy is one of the most frequently observed diseases in neurology outpatient care. Methods: We analysed our hospital’s implementation of the 8 epilepsy quality measures proposed by the American Academy of Neurology: documented seizure types and seizure frequency, aetiology of epilepsy or the epilepsy syndrome, review of EEG, MRI, or CT results, counselling about antiepileptic drug side effects, surgical therapy referral for intractable epilepsy, and counselling about epilepsy-specific safety issues and for women of childbearing age. Results: In most cases, the first four quality measures were documented correctly. In 66% of the cases, doctors had asked about any adverse drug effects during every visit. Almost all patients with intractable epilepsy had been informed about surgical options or referred to a surgical centre of reference for an evaluation at some point, although referrals usually took place more than 3 years after the initial proposal. Safety issues had been explained to 37% of the patients and less than half of women of childbearing age with epilepsy had received counselling regardingcontraception and pregnancy at least once a year. Conclusions: The care we provide is appropriate according to many of the quality measures, but we must deliver more counselling and information necessary for the care of epileptic patients in different stages of life

Quality measures in neurology consult care for epileptic patients.

INTRODUCTION: Epilepsy is one of the most frequently observed diseases in neurology outpatient care. METHODS: We analysed our hospital's implementation of the 8 epilepsy quality measures proposed by the American Academy of Neurology: documented seizure types and seizure frequency, aetiology of epilepsy or the epilepsy syndrome, review of EEG, MRI, or CT results, counselling about antiepileptic drug side effects, surgical therapy referral for intractable epilepsy, and counselling about epilepsy-specific safety issues and for women of childbearing age. RESULTS: In most cases, the first four quality measures were documented correctly. In 66% of the cases, doctors had asked about any adverse drug effects during every visit. Almost all patients with intractable epilepsy had been informed about surgical options or referred to a surgical centre of reference for an evaluation at some point, although referrals usually took place more than 3 years after the initial proposal. Safety issues had been explained to 37% of the patients and less than half of women of childbearing age with epilepsy had received counselling regarding contraception and pregnancy at least once a year. CONCLUSIONS: The care we provide is appropriate according to many of the quality measures, but we must deliver more counselling and information necessary for the care of epileptic patients in different stages of life.

[Spanish scientific output on thirty pathologies of genetic origin]. / Investigación científica española sobre treinta patologías de origen genético.

INTRODUCTION: The Spanish scientific output during the years 2000-2005 on 30 pathologies of genetic origin included in the OCDE survey on molecular genetic testing has been studied. RESULTS: A total of 105 articles were in MedLine journals on 20 of the pathologies considered. This represents 0.4% of the worldwide publications. However, the Spanish contribution is greater than 2% in some of the pathologies studied worldwide. A total of 266 articles, on 25 pathologies, were found in the Spanish databases IME/ISOC/ICYT. This result makes the total Spanish contribution equivalent to 1.4% of the worldwide output, a value lower than that observed for Spain in Biomedicine and Health Science (2.4%). The number of Spanish articles published on the pathologies studied is greater than those published by Portugal or Holland and lower than those from Italy and France, although Spanish publications are the most abundant for some pathologies. ANALYSIS: Out of the Spanish articles published in MedLine journals, 52% have been cited on an average of 12 times. These contain more basic research than those appearing in IME journals, the latter having a more applied character and being published more frequently in Pediatrics journals. Regarding the Spanish articles, 65% come from 97 laboratories in public hospitals, 10 of which are responsible for 43% of the articles in MedLine journals. These show a certain degree of specialization on at least five pathologies.

[Sensory ganglionopathy as a manifestation of celiac disease]. / Ganglionopatia sensitiva como manifestacion de enfermedad celiaca.

INTRODUCTION: The neurological manifestations of celiac disease (CD) may be caused by the disease itself, by associated autoimmune diseases or by complications from the tumours that may develop in the long term. We report a case of sensory ganglionopathy associated to CD. CASE REPORT: A 59-year-old female with chronic diarrhoea and loss of weight, who visited because of a clinical picture of gait disorders that progressed to the point where she was barely able to walk. Having been diagnosed with CD, finding a sensory ganglionopathy with dysautonomia (an atypical manifestation of this disease) led to a diagnosis of associated Sjogren's syndrome (SS). CONCLUSIONS: The neurological manifestations of CD are very varied, but in the presence of a sensory ganglionopathy, a neurological picture that is atypical in this disease, it becomes necessary to suspect SS, which is an infrequent but well established association. Likewise, all patients with SS must be screened for CD, which (albeit subclinically) can be complicated in the long term by the development of tumours. The differential diagnosis of the neurological manifestations of CD and of sensory ganglionopathy, as well as the association between celiac disease and SS, is also discussed.

Ganglionopatía sensitiva como manifestación de enfermedad celiaca / Sensory ganglionopathy as a manifestation of celica disease

Introducción. Las manifestaciones neurológicas de la enfermedad celiaca (EC) pueden deberse a la propia enfermedad, a las enfermedades autoinmunes asociadas o a complicaciones de los tumores que pueden desarrollar a largo plazo. Presentamos un caso de ganglionopatía sensitiva asociada a una EC. Caso clínico. Mujer de 59 años con diarrea crónica y pérdida de peso, que acude por un cuadro de trastorno de la marcha, que progresa hasta llegar a impedirla. Diagnosticada como EC, el hallazgo de una ganglionopatía sensitiva con disautonomía, manifestación atípica para esta enfermedad, llevó al diagnóstico de un síndrome de Sjögren (SS) asociado. Conclusiones. Las manifestaciones neurológicas de la EC son muy variadas, pero ante la presencia de una ganglionopatía sensitiva, cuadro neurológico atípico en esta enfermedad, es obligado sospechar un SS, asociación infrecuente, pero bien establecida. De igual manera, en todo paciente con SS debe realizarse un cribado de EC, que, aunque subclínica, puede complicarse a largo plazo con el desarrollo de tumores. Discutimos el diagnóstico diferencial de las manifestaciones neurológicas de la EC y de la ganglionopatía sensitiva, así como la asociación entre la celiaquía y el SS

Introduction. The neurological manifestations of celiac disease (CD) may be caused by the disease itself, by associated autoimmune diseases or by complications from the tumours that may develop in the long term. We report a case of sensory ganglionopathy associated to CD. Case report. A 59-year-old female with chronic diarrhoea and loss of weight, who visited because of a clinical picture of gait disorders that progressed to the point where she was barely able to walk. Having been diagnosed with CD, finding a sensory ganglionopathy with dysautonomia (an atypical manifestation of this disease) led to a diagnosis of associated Sjogren’s syndrome (SS). Conclusions. The neurological manifestations of CD are very varied, but in the presence of a sensory ganglionopathy, a neurological picture that is atypical in this disease, it becomes necessary to suspect SS, which is an infrequent but well established association. Likewise, all patients with SS must be screened for CD, which (albeit subclinically) can be complicated in the long term by the development of tumours. The differential diagnosis of the neurological manifestations of CD and of sensory ganglionopathy, as well as the association between celiac disease and SS, is also discussed

Nistagmo vertical secundario a la administración de morfina epidural / Vertical nystagmus secondary to the epidural administration of morphine

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Micromorphological studies on seeds of orobanche species from the iberian peninsula and the balearic islands, and their systematic significance.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Previous research has made clear the intrinsic taxonomic difficulties in identifying species in the genus Orobanche. The aim of this study, therefore, was to investigate the systematic utility of seed characteristics. METHODS: Light and scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the seeds of 33 taxa of Orobanche from the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands. KEY RESULTS: Characters such as size, shape and ornamentation of the seeds were not found to be very useful in differentiation of taxa; however, other characters of the epidermal seed coat cells proved to be very helpful in this respect. Ornamentation of the periclinal walls could be used to discriminate four morphological types. Other features related to the anticlinal walls of the cells, such as thickness, presence/absence of a narrow trough, or relative depth, all contributed to the characterization of a large number of species. CONCLUSIONS: The usefulness of micromorphological studies on seeds of Orobanche in relation to differentiating taxa is demonstrated, and a key is provided to distinguish species or groups of species.

Significance of protein p53 overexpression in the clinical course of high-risk superficial bladder cancer.

OBJECTIVES: This is a retrospective study in which the long-term biological behavior of 67 "high-risk" superficial bladder tumors and the prognostic relevance (prediction of disease recurrence and progression) of the determination of the p53 phenotype in these cases were studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 67 tumors with a "high-risk" of progression were selected from the 1,103 transurethral resections for bladder cancer carried out in 640 patients in this center between 1987 and 1992. These included 39 T1G3, 14 Tis (isolated or associated with Ta-T1, non-G3 tumors), and 14 Ta-T1, non-G3 tumors with submucosal lymphatic affection (L+). The median follow-up of these cases was 69.7 months. An immunohistochemical technique with monoclonal antibodies (DO-7) was used to detect the p53 phenotype in paraffin-fixed material. RESULTS: Tumor recurrence occurred in 31 patients (46.3%) and local or distant progression in 14 (20.9%). Radical cystectomy was carried out in 16 (23.9%) cases. p53 overexpression of > or =20% ("p53+") was detected in 40 tumors (59.7%). The rate of recurrence and progression, the disease and progression-free intervals, cancer-specific survival, disease-free survival and progression-free survival were similar in the 3 tumor groups (in all cases, p > 0.05). There were no significant differences in the overexpression of protein p53, using the standard cutoff point of 20% stained nuclei, on comparing the same variables in the whole group of 67 patients (in all cases, p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The detection of protein p53 was not found to be of use in the retrospective prediction of disease progression or survival in "high-risk" superficial bladder cancer.

The use of neural networks and logistic regression analysis for predicting pathological stage in men undergoing radical prostatectomy: a population based study.

PURPOSE: Clinical under staging occurs in 40% to 60% of patients who undergo radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. To decrease under staging several methods of predicting pathological stage preoperatively have been developed based on statistical logistic regression analysis and neural networks. To our knowledge none has been validated in our homogeneous regional patient population to date. We created logistic regression and neural network models, and implemented and adapted them into our practice. We also compared the 2 methods to determine their value and practicality in daily clinical practice. We present the results of our novel approach for predicting pathological staging of prostate adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1986 and 1999, 600 white men from the Aragon region of Spain underwent surgery for prostate cancer; of whom 468 were selected for study. Predictive study variables included patient age, clinical stage, biopsy Gleason score and preoperative prostate specific antigen (PSA). The predicted result included in analysis was organ confined or nonorgan confined disease. Data were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression and a supervised neural network (multilayer perceptron and radial basis function). Results were compared by comparing the areas under the receiver operating characteristics curves. RESULTS: We generated 5 logistic regression models. The model created with clinical staging, Gleason biopsy score and PSA distributed in 5 categories (p <0.001) with an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.840 proved to be most predictive of pathological stage. Similarly of the 6 neural network models evaluated the radial basis function model, which included age, clinical stage, Gleason biopsy score and preoperative PSA distributed in 5 categories with an area under the curve of 0.882, proved the most predictive but not superior to the logistic regression model. The difference in the area under the curves in the 2 chosen models was 0.042 (p = 0.1). CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to generate useful predictive models of organ confined disease using logistic regression or neural networks with high indexes of clinical and statistical validity. However, using these variables neural networks did not prove to be better than logistic regression analysis. Therefore, better predictive variables must be identified, preferably nonlinear characteristics with respect to the probability of organ confined tumor, to generate better predictive models using neural networks.

[The effect of nocturnal oxygen therapy in patients with sleep apnea syndrome and chronic airflow limitation]. / Efecto de la oxigenoterapia nocturna en el paciente con síndrome de apnea-hipopnea del sueño y limitación crónica al flujo aéreo.

Oxygen therapy for patients with sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) usually causes significant side effects. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of short-term nocturnal oxygen therapy in patients with SAHS and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Ten patients with diagnoses of SAHS were enrolled. The patients' mean age was 63 (10) years, mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) was 58 +/- 17, mean FVC was 59 +/- 8% of reference and mean FEV1 was 40 +/- 14% of reference. Using a random, single blind design, two polysomnographic studies were performed on two consecutive nights. Oxygen was administered on one night at a mean flow rate of 1.3 +/- 04 l/min and on the other night air was administered at the same rate. Arterial blood gases were analyzed at the end of each study. Oxygen administration improved nocturnal hypoxia and reduced the AHI, which was 40 +/- 20 with oxygen and 58 +/- 17 with air (p < 0.005). Improvement was achieved at the expense of a reduction in the number of hypopneic episodes. No significant differences were observed in apneic episodes and only a slight increase in the duration of hypopneic episodes was observed (21 +/- 7 s with air and 27 +/- 8 s with oxygen [p < 0.01]). Neither quality of sleep nor heart rate changed. Slight respiratory acidosis was observed in 50% of the patients. In conclusion, nocturnal oxygen administration in patients with SAHS and COPD improved nocturnal hypoxia and reduced the total number of respiratory events. However, in these patients oxygen should be administered with care, even when the rate of flow is low, given the tendency for pCO2 and respiratory acidosis to increase.

Efecto de la oxigenoterapia nocturna en el paciente con síndrome de apnea-hipopnea del sueño y limitación crónica al flujo aéreo / The effect of nocturnal oxygen therapy in patients with sleep apnea syndrome and chronic airflow limitation

La administración de oxígeno en el paciente con síndrome de apnea-hipopnea del sueño (SAHS) puede producir efectos adversos importantes. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto a corto plazo de la oxigenoterapia nocturna en el paciente con SAHS y enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC). Se estudió a 10 pacientes con una media de edad de 63 ñ 10 años, diagnosticados de SAHS con un índice de apnea-hipopnea (IAH) medio de 58 ñ 17 y FVC de 59 ñ 8 por ciento sobre el valor de referencia y FEV1 de 40 ñ 14 por ciento sobre el valor de referencia. En dos noches consecutivas y según un diseño aleatorio, simple ciego, se practicaron dos estudios polisomnográficos. El oxígeno fue administrado durante una noche a un flujo medio de 1,3 ñ 0,4 l/min y otra con aire al mismo flujo. En el momento de finalizar cada estudio se realizó una determinación de gases arteriales. La administración de oxígeno produjo una mejoría de la hipoxia nocturna y una disminución del índice de apnea-hipopnea (IAH) que fue de 40 ñ 20 con oxígeno y de 58 ñ 17 con aire (p < 0,005). La mejoría se produjo a expensas de la reducción en el número de hipopneas. No se observaron diferencias en la duración media de los episodios de apnea y sólo un leve incremento de la duración de las hipopneas que pasó de 21 ñ 7 s con aire a 27 ñ 8 s con oxígeno (p < 0,01). La calidad del sueño no se modificó y no se observaron cambios en el ritmo ni en la frecuencia cardíaca. En el 50 por ciento de los pacientes se detectó acidosis respiratoria leve tras el estudio con oxígeno. En conclusión, la administración de oxígeno nocturno en el paciente con SAHS y EPOC mejora la hipoxia nocturna y reduce el número total de eventos respiratorios. En estos enfermos el oxígeno debe, sin embargo, administrarse con precaución, incluso a bajo flujo, dada la tendencia a incrementar la PCO2 y la acidosis respiratoria. (AU)

Effects of short- and long-term exercise on urinary cGMP excretion in healthy subjects and in patients with coronary artery disease.

The possibility that systemic formation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) could reflect the level of cardiovascular fitness was investigated. The relations between physical activity and systemic formation of cGMP were evaluated in healthy volunteers and in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). No significant differences were observed in the basal urinary excretion of cGMP in highly trained runners, sedentary subjects, and in patients with CAD, despite the large differences in aerobic exercise training between groups. In addition, the basal levels of cGMP in CAD patients failed to increase after a 12-week cardiac rehabilitation program. Short-term exercise, on the other hand, was associated with significant increases in urinary cGMP excretion. A 42-km marathon increased urinary cGMP excretion by 272%. The 15-km race increased urinary cGMP excretion by 330%. In CAD patients, 30 min of supervised exercise on a treadmill, at 80% of patient's maximal heart rate, induced a 60% increase in urinary cGMP, which returned to preexercise levels 90 min after termination of the exercise. Completion of the 12-week cardiac rehabilitation program improved exercise capacity and the magnitude of increase in cGMP levels induced by short-term treadmill exercise. Our findings suggest that cGMP increases during and shortly after short-term exercise and that the magnitude of the increase seems dependent on the intensity of the exercise and on physical fitness. Exercise training in healthy subjects and in CAD patients enhanced the amount of cGMP produced during short-term exercise, which might be responsible for some of the protective cardiovascular actions of exercise. The short half-life of cGMP may explain why the basal resting levels of cGMP are not appropriate predictors of a subject's physical fitness.

[Deep nonpenetrating sclerectomy and open angle glaucoma. Intermediate results from the first operated patients]. / Sclérectomie profonde non perforante (SPNP) et glaucome à angle ouvert. Résultats à moyen terme des premiers patients opérés.

PURPOSE: The aim of this retropective study is to evaluate and to compare in glaucoma patients, the mid-term results of the non penetrating deep-sclerectomy (NPDS) with collagen implant or with per operative application of 5 fluorouracile (5 FU). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The aim of the NPDS, a new filtering surgical procedure, is to remove under a scleral flap the Schlemm's canal and the juxtacanalicular trabecular meshwork responsible for the outflow resistance in order to obtain a sub-conjunctival filtration of the aqueous humor with no opening of the anterior chamber. Forty-two open angle glaucoma patients with uncontrolled intra-ocular pressure and with no risk factor of bleb fibrosis, underwent a NPDS. In 27 eyes (group 1) a sponge soaked with 5 FU (50 mg/ml) was applied for 5 minutes in the scleral bed, and in 15 eyes (group-2) a collagen implant (Staar*) was sutured in the scleral bed. A complete ophthalmologic examination was performed on days 1, 8, months 1,2,3 and each 3 months until the end of the follow-up. In case of increased IOP, goniopuncture with the Nd: YAG laser was performed at any time of the post operative period. RESULTS: The mean intra-ocular pressure (IOP) significantly decreased from 23.5 +/- 5.1 mmHg to 15.5 +/- 2.9 at 11.1 +/- 5.6 months follow-up (group 1, p < 10(-3)) and from 22.6 +/- 6.9 Hg to 16.2 +/- 3.9 mmHg at 8.8, 3.6 months follow-up (group 2, p < 10(-3)) with a significant decrease in the medical treatment (p < 10(-3)). The Kaplan Meier probability of success (IOP < or = 20 mmHg without treatment and with no visual field deterioration) at 6 and 12 months was similar in both groups: 57.3% (group 1) and 66.0% (group 2) with a mean decrease in IOP of 30%. Goniopuncture had to be performed in more than one third of case in each group and was effective to control the IOP in half of the cases. No complication related to hypotony or inflammation occured in the post operative period. CONCLUSION: NPDS is an interesting alternative to the classical trabeculectomy since the post operative complications are markedly reduced. However, the mid-term control in IOP appears to be slightly lower. The use of a collagen device does not lead to better control in IOP as compared to the use of a sponge of 5 FU.

[Early diagnosis of cancer of the prostate. 5-year analysis]. / Diagnóstico precoz del cáncer de próstata. Análisis de cinco años.

The authors present the results obtained using a program for early diagnosis in symptomatic patients, within a specific population area. The effectiveness of this diagnosis program for prostate cancer, which is expected to be used also for diagnosis of less advanced stages, is established with the analysis of results obtained in 1000 patients: 42.5% positive biopsies. Biopsy indication in case of suspicious rectal examination and/or PSA over 10 ng/ml is considered useful. There are more reservations towards this indication with PSA values between 4 and 10 ng/ml, where evaluation of other complementary options is considered necessary.

[Value and sequence of the biopsy of the seminal vesicles and laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy in the staging of cancer of the prostate]. / Valor y secuencia de la biopsia de vesículas seminales y la linfadenectomía pelviana laparoscopica en el estadiaje del cáncer de próstata.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the current indication in our milieu of seminal vesicles (s.v.) biopsy and laparoscopic pelvic lymphadenectomy in prostate cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The prospective study of s.v. biopsy includes 128 patients. Overall efficacy of the technical procedure, incidence of seminal infiltration in relation to clinical staging, PSA, Gleason or the association of both are all analyzed. The second part of the project involves a retrospective statistical study applied to the lymphadenectomy series over a period of 10 years on 202 cases (69 laparoscopic and 133 open ceiling), analyzing several risk factors for nodular invasion. RESULTS: Seminal and nodular infiltration was related to clinical stage, PSA and Gleason. PSA > 20 and Gleason > or = 7 is clinically the most useful association for the diagnosis of seminal infiltration. Increased PSA and Gleason involved greater nodular infiltration; the optimal cut-off point is 40 and 7 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: S.V. biopsy should be performed in T3 stage or in earlier stages with PSA greater or equal to 20 and/or Gleason greater or equal to 7. If biopsy is tumour negative, laparoscopic lymphadenectomy should be performed at T3 stage (regardless of PSA or Gleason), and in < T3 with PSA greater or equal to 40, Gleason greater or equal to 8 and when Gleason is 7 and PSA > 20.