[Thyroid dysfunction in children with chronic renal failure]. / Alteraciones de la función tiroidea en niños con insuficiencia renal crónica.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency and type of thyroid dysfunction in children with chronic renal failure (CRF) in peritoneal dialysis (PD) or hemodialysis (HD); and to establish the accuracy of the presence of goiter to identify patients with CRF and thyroid dysfunction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study performed in a tertiary pediatric medical care center. CRF patients younger than 17 years old, with more than three months in PD or HD were included. All patients were assessed regarding their growth and sexual development; thyroid dysfunction was evaluated by serum concentration of thyrotropin (TSH), thyroxine (T4L) and triiodothyronine (T3T). RESULTS: 50 patients were included, 25 were male, and mean age was 12 years old. There were 14 (28%) patients with thyroid dysfunction; nine had subclinical hypothyroidism, three patients had euthyroid sick syndrome and two primary hypothyroidism. Thirteen patients had goiter: seven had thyroid dysfunction and in six patients the thyroid function was normal. The sensitivity of goiter to detect thyroid dysfunction was 50% and the specificity was 83.3%. The two patients with the greatest delay in their growth were hypothyroid. CONCLUSIONS: Given that the high frequency of thyroid dysfunction in children with CRF, these patients need a systematic screening, in order to improve their quality of care.

Alteraciones de la función tiroidea en niños con insuficiencia renal crónica / No disponible

Objetivos: Determinar la frecuencia y tipo de alteraciones de la función tiroidea en niños con insuficiencia renal crónica (IRC) en programa de diálisis peritoneal (DP) o hemodiálisis (HD), así como establecer la utilidad de bocio como marcador clínico para identificar pacientes con IRC que cursan con alteraciones de la función tiroidea. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio transversal y descriptivo, realizado en un hospital pediátrico de tercer nivel de atención. Se incluyeron pacientes menores de 17 años, con IRC y con más de tres meses en DP o HD. En cada paciente se evaluó su crecimiento y desarrollo, así como la presencia de bocio. Las alteraciones tiroideas se detectaron mediante la cuantificación de los niveles séricos de tirotropina (TSH), tiroxina (T4L) y triyodotironina (T3T). Resultados: Se incluyeron 50 pacientes, 25 del sexo masculino, con edad promedio de 3 años. Hubo 14 (28%) pacientes con alteración en la función tiroidea, nueve con hipotiroidismo subclínico, tres con síndrome de enfermo eutiroideo y dos con hipotiroidismo primario. En 13 pacientes se detectó bocio, siete con disfunción tiroidea y seis con función normal. La sensibilidad del bocio para la detección de alteraciones tiroideas fue del 50%, y la especificidad del 83.3%. Dos de los pacientes con hipotiroidismo presentaron la mayor afectación en su crecimiento. Conclusiones: Debido a la alta frecuencia de alteraciones tiroideas en niños con IRC, es necesaria su valoración de manera sistemática, a fin de mejorar la calidad de su atención (AU)

Objectives: To determine the frequency and type of thyroid dysfunction in children with chronic renal failure (CRF) in peritoneal dialysis (PD) or hemodialysis (HD); and to establish the accuracy of the presence of goiter to identify patients with CRF and thyroid dysfunction. Patients and methods: This is a crosssectional study performed in a tertiary pediatric medical care center. CRF patients younger than 17 years old, with more than three months in PD or HD were included. All patients were assessed regarding their growth and sexual development; thyroid dysfunction was evaluated by serum concentration of thyrotropin (TSH), thyroxine (T4L) and triiodothyronine (T3T). Results: 50 patients were included, 25 were male, and mean age was 13 years old. There were 14 (28%) patients with thyroid dysfunction; nine had subclinical hypothyroidism, three patients had euthyroid sick syndrome and two primary hypothyroidism. Thirteen patients had goiter: seven had thyroid dysfunction and in six patients the thyroid function was normal. The sensitivity of goiter to detect thyroid dysfunction was 50% and the specificity was 83.3%. The two patients with the greatest delay in their growth were hypothyroid. Conclusions: Given the high frequency of thyroid dysfunction in children with CRF, these patients need a systematic screening, in order to improve their quality of care (AU)

In patients with COPD, treatment with a combination of formoterol and ipratropium is more effective than a combination of salbutamol and ipratropium : a 3-week, randomized, double-blind, within-patient, multicenter study.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of adding formoterol or salbutamol to regular ipratropium bromide treatment in COPD patients whose conditions were suboptimally controlled with ipratropium bromide alone. DESIGN: A randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, two-period, crossover clinical trial. SETTING: Twenty-four clinics and university medical centers in nine countries. PATIENTS: One hundred seventy-two patients with baseline FEV(1) < or = 65% predicted, with FEV(1) reversibility to salbutamol not exceeding the normal variability of the measurement, and symptomatic despite regular treatment with ipratropium bromide. INTERVENTIONS: Each patient received two treatments in random order: either inhaled formoterol dry powder, 12 microg bid, in addition to ipratropium bromide, 40 microg qid for 3 weeks, followed by salbutamol, 200 microg qid, in addition to ipratropium, 40 microg qid for 3 weeks, or vice versa. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Efficacy end points included morning premedication peak expiratory flow (PEF) during the last week of treatment (primary end point), the area under the curve (AUC) for FEV(1) measured for 6 h after morning dose on the last day of treatment, and symptom scores (from daily diary recordings). Morning PEF and the AUC for FEV(1) were significantly better for formoterol/ipratropium than for salbutamol/ipratropium (p = 0.0003 and p < 0.0001, respectively). The formoterol/ipratropium combination also induced a greater improvement in mean total symptom scores (p = 0.0042). The safety profile of the two treatments was comparable. CONCLUSIONS: In COPD patients requiring combination bronchodilator treatment, the addition of formoterol to regular ipratropium treatment is more effective than the addition of salbutamol.

Similar efficacy following four weeks treatment of asthmatics with formoterol 12 micrograms b.d. delivered by two different dry powder inhalers: differences in inhaler handling.

This randomised, multicentre, parallel-group study compared the clinical efficacy and ease of handling of two dry powder inhalers delivering the long-acting beta 2-agonist formoterol. After run-in, 200 asthmatics on treatment with inhaled corticosteroids and still presenting with suboptimal asthma control were randomised to receive 12 micrograms formoterol twice daily via either the Aerolizer inhaler (Foradil Aerolizer) or the Turbuhaler inhaler (Oxis Turbuhaler) for four weeks. Study variables included the mean morning pre-medication peak expiratory flow (PEF) during the last seven days of treatment and the correct inhaler handling according to inhaler-specific checklists. The mean difference in the effect on morning pre-medication PEF was 13.86 l/min in favour of formoterol via the Aerolizer inhaler (90% confidence interval 2.50, 25.21) in the intent-to-treat population. Eighty-six per cent of the patients under treatment with formoterol via the Turbuhaler inhaler performed correctly all the essential inhalation manoeuvres, whereas 98% of those on the Aerolizer inhaler did so. These results strongly suggest similar clinical efficacy with twice daily treatment of formoterol 12 micrograms metered dose delivered either by the Aerolizer, or the Turbuhaler device. They also suggest that handling the Aerolizer is easier than that of the Turbuhaler.

High dose and short-term streptokinase infusion in patients with pulmonary embolism: prospective with seven-year follow-up trial.

BACKGROUND: High dose and short-term streptokinase infusion has proved to improve survival among few patients with pulmonary embolism and cardiogenic shock, without increasing hemorrhagic complications. However its efficacy and safety in terms of long follow-up and in major number of patients requires to be established. METHODS: Patients with pulmonary embolism proved through high probability V/Q lung scan, suggestive echocardiogram, or deep venous thrombosis were enrolled. All were assigned to receive 1,500,000 IU in one-hour streptokinase infusion. The primary end point was efficacy and safety of streptokinase regimen in terms of pulmonary arterial hypertension, right ventricular dysfunction, perfusion abnormalities, recurrence, mortality and hemorrhagic complications. In long-term follow-up, we assessed functional class, recurrence, chronic pulmonary arterial hypertension, postthrombotic-syndrome and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 40 consecutive patients (47.3+/-15.3 years of age) with large or massive pulmonary embolism were enrolled. In 35 patients high dose and short-term streptokinase regimen reversed acute pulmonary arterial hypertension, clinical and echocardiographic evidence of right ventricular dysfunction and improved pulmonary perfusion without increasing hemorrhagic complications. In acute phase 5 patients died, necropsy study performed in 4 patients showed massive pulmonary embolism and right ventricular myocardial infarction, without significant coronary arterial obstruction. Risk factors for mortality and recurrence were: right ventricular global hypokinesis (p<0.0001), 6 hours or over between onset symptoms and streptokinase regimen (p=0.02), severe systolic pulmonary arterial hypertension (p=0.001) right ventricular hypokinesis (p=0.001), hypoxemia (p=0.02) and right ventricular acute myocardial infarction (p<0.0001). Right ventricular hypokinesis (p=0.02) was the only independent risk factor for recurrence. In a seven-year follow-up of the original 35 patients who survived in acute phase, 2 patients were lost and 33 are alive, in functional class I, without recurrence or chronic pulmonary arterial hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: Our report indicates that among properly selected high-risk PE patients, short-term streptokinase infusion is effective and safe.

The Dressler syndrome after pulmonary embolism.

A study was conducted in 14 patients with pericardial syndrome after pulmonary embolism. The role of right ventricular myocardial injury and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema in this syndrome is considered and its existence is established.

Intrapleural fibrinolysis with streptokinase as an adjunctive treatment in hemothorax and empyema: a multicenter trial.

To test the efficacy of intrapleural fibrinolytic therapy in patients with loculated pleural effusions, we conducted an open, prospective, and multicenter trial among five hospitals in Mexico. We enrolled patients with hemothorax or empyema, clotted and/or loculated, that was not resolved through conventional pleural drainage with chest tube and antibiotics in patients with empyema. All patients received repeated doses of 250,000 IU of streptokinase through chest tube. Effectiveness criteria were before and after intrapleural streptokinase (IPSK) drainage, and poststreptokinase radiographic and respiratory function test improvement. Forty-eight patients were studied; there were 30 patients with empyemas, 14 with hemothorax, and 4 patients with malignant pleural effusions without lung trapping. Successful fibrinolysis was obtained in 44 patients, with complete resolution of the pleural collection and adequate radiologic and spirometric improvement. In three of four patients with multiloculated malignant hemothorax with high-yielding pleural drainage, IPSK allowed successful lysis of loci and an adequate pleurodesis was achieved. Only four patients required surgical treatment. The overall success rate in our series was 92%, similar to previous reports. The results in this first prospective and multicentric trial suggest that intrapleural fibrinolysis is an effective and safe adjunctive treatment in patients with heterogeneous pleural coagulated and loculated collections to restore the pulmonary function assessed by respiratory function tests and can obviate surgery in most cases.

[Acute infarct of the right ventricle secondary to a massive pulmonary thromboembolism]. / Infarto agudo del ventrículo derecho secundario a tromboembolia pulmonar masiva.

The hemodynamic and cardiovascular responses to a massive pulmonary embolism are: severe pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular failure and cardiogenic shock. The irreversible state of the latest condition and mortality could be due to a secondary right ventricle myocardial infarction, an entity which was first described in 1949. We report a necropsy case with massive pulmonary embolism and as a relevant finding a recent right ventricular myocardial infarction without significant obstructive coronary lesions. The relevance of right ventricle myocardial infarction as a major risk factor for mortality, its clinical and hemodynamic profile as well as the ischemic phenomena, are analyzed. It is emphasized also the importance of an early lysis of thrombus to rescue myocardium and to preserve right ventricle viability. This could be the first case reported in Mexico, in which the relationship between massive pulmonary embolism and right ventricle myocardial infarction is demonstrated as a determinant factor for mortality.

Streptokinase and Heparin versus Heparin Alone in Massive Pulmonary Embolism: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

To test the efficacy of thrombolytic therapy in massive pulmonary embolism, we conducted a prospective randomized controlled trial. Eight patients were randomized to receive either 1,500,000 IU of streptokinase in 1 hour through a peripheral vein followed by heparin or heparin alone. All patients had major risk factors for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and were considered to have high clinical suspicion for pulmonary embolism (PE). At baseline all patients had a similar degree of systemic arterial hypotension, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and right ventricular dysfunction. The time of onset of cardiogenic shock in both groups was comparable (2.25 +/- 0.5 hours in the streptokinase group and 1.75 +/- 0.96 hours in the heparin group). The four patients who were randomized to streptokinase improved in the first hour after treatment, survived, and in 2 years of follow-up are without pulmonary arterial hypertension. All four patients treated with heparin alone died from 1 to 3 hours after arrival at the emergency room (p = 0.02). Post-thrombolytic therapy the diagnosis of PE was sustained in the streptokinase group by high probability V/Q lung scans and proven DVT. A necropsy study performed in three patients in the heparin group showed massive pulmonary embolism and right ventricular myocardial infarction, without significant coronary arterial obstruction. The results indicate that thrombolytic therapy reduces the mortality rate of massive acute pulmonary embolism.

[High doses and the rapid infusion of streptokinase for the treatment of massive pulmonary thromboembolism]. / Dosis altas e infusión rápida de estreptoquinasa para el tratamiento de tromboembolia pulmonar masiva.

We report the case of a 65 year old woman with no prior cardiac or pulmonary disease, who suffered pulmonary embolism (PE); diagnosis was made on the basis of the existence of risk factors, clinical, radiographic and electrocardiographic features, and a lung scan with perfusion defects and normal ventilation. PE was considered massive because the patient developed acute respiratory failure that required tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation as well as obstructive shock, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic data of right ventricle overload, and pulmonary hypertension, with pulmonary artery pressure of 38 mmHg. She received an initial treatment with high doses (1,500,000 UI) and rapid infusion (1 hr) of intravenous streptokinase (SK) followed by heparin anticoagulation. Thereafter the hemodynamic disturbances improved and pulmonary artery pressure post-thrombolysis was 23 mmHg. In this report SK at high doses and rapid infusion showed effectiveness and security. We emphasize the usefulness of echocardiography as a diagnostic aid in patients with a previously healthy cardiopulmonary system, as well as the possible role of electrocardiogram as an early indicator of pulmonary reperfusion. This could be the first report of successful thrombolysis with high doses and rapid infusion of SK in massive PE.

[Correlations between respiratory function tests and hemodynamic studies in the decision of pneumonectomy]. / Correlación entre las pruebas de función respiratoria y el estudio hemodinámico para la decisión de neumonectomía.

We report a prospective study of 50 patients with chronic pulmonary pathology of diverse etiology and various grades of abnormality in Pulmonary mechanics and blood gases. In all patients we performed pulmonary function test and hemodynamic study with a Dotter-Lucas catheter with and without unilateral occlusion of pulmonary artery, at rest and during exercise. Our objective was to define if one or more parameters of routine pulmonary function test could allow us to predict the condition of pulmonary circulation, and therefore identify those patients at risk of pulmonary hypertension in whom pneumonectomy could be contraindicated and in this way avoid cardiac catheterization. We did not find any correlation between the grade of abnormality in pulmonary mechanics and the severity of pulmonary hypertension. On the other hand, all patients with severe pulmonary hypertension, that precluded pneumonectomy, had severe hypoxemia (PaO2 less than 50 mmHg); patients with moderate hypoxemia (PaO2 50-57 mmHg) had pulmonary hypertension of diverse grade, that could preclude or not, pneumonectomy. We conclude that this group of patients need to be catheterized to evaluate the indication of pneumonectomy.

[Pulmonary thromboembolism in children]. / Tromboembolia pulmonar en niños.

We report our experience with five children with pulmonary embolism and infarction. Two with congenital heart disease, one with rheumatic cardiopathy and two with a previously healthy cardiopulmonary system. The risk factors, clinical behavior and ECG were similar to those in adults. In chest roentgenogram we found pulmonary infarction with cavitations in three patients because of a delayed diagnosis. All patients had hypoxemia and hypocapnia, and diagnosis was made on the basis of segmentary or larger defects in perfusion gammagraphy. In just one case we obtained V/Q gammagraphy and pulmonary angiography. In one case we confirmed the clinical diagnosis by autopsy. We conclude that it is very important to keep this diagnosis in mind in all children with respiratory failure.

[Early tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation in the treatment of pulmonary edema secondary to ischemic heart disease]. / Intubación traqueal temprana y ventilación mecánica para el tratamiento del edema pulmonar secundario a cardiopatía isquémica.

Forty patients with overt pulmonary edema secondary to ischemic heart disease were treated in the emergency room with iv ouabain and furosemide; 20 patients in Group A received sublingual nifedipine before undergoing early tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation with 100% FiO2 during 15 min. and then 50% FiO2; 20 patients in Group B received iv aminophylline, rotating tourniquets and IPPB by mask with 60% FiO2. All patients in Group A were extubated after 66 +/- 10.8 min. in the emergency room; 7 in Group B improved but 13 had to undergo tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. Upon arrival at the ICCU all had a Swan-Ganz catheter installed and received comparable therapy for ischemic heart disease. Statistically significant differences in favor of patients in Group A as compared to the 7 improved in B were seen in heart rate, arrhythmias, diastolic blood pressure, mean and wedge pulmonary pressures, systemic resistances, arterial pH and PaO2; when compared to the 13 patients undergoing late tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation, parameters were more or less similar but improvement appeared later and extubation took place after 1.94 +/- 1.24 days (P less than 0.05). Three patients in Group B died in the emergency room, 3 in Group A and 4 in B died in the ICCU (P less than 0.01). Early tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation in patients with overt pulmonary edema secondary to ischemic heart disease produce better results due to early improvement in pulmonary and systemic hemodynamics and should be considered in all such patients arriving at the emergency room.

[Radiologic characteristics of cardiogenic pulmonary edema in the elderly]. / Características radiológicas del edema pulmonar cardiogénico en el anciano.

The radiologic appearance of atypical cardiogenic pulmonary edema (ACPE) is presented in 10 cases admitted from 1983 to 1985, with age ranges from 74 to 89, and with diagnosis of ischemic heart disease, with myocardial infarction in 50% of them. Clinically they had asthenia, adynamia and anorexia in 80%, cough and weight loss in 50%. All of them had tachycardia, pulmonary rales and 50% pericardial rub. ECG showed in 80% anterior subepicardial ischemia, 60% posteroinferior subepicardial ischemia, 60% bifascicular block, and 50% left anterior fascicular block. Chest films were interpreted at first as pulmonary fibrosis in 90% of the cases with superior lobe involvement in 50%. Heart enlargement was present in 50%. A chronic lung disease was disclosed on clinical and pulmonary physiological grounds. It is concluded that asthenia, adynamia and anorexia were atypical manifestations of heart failure in the elderly. Silent myocardial infarction was observed in half of our patients and it was complicated with pericardial involvement in 50%. Irregular distribution of fluids in pulmonary edema was attributed to anatomic changes in elder lung. These atypical behaviour of pulmonary edema, has been misinterpreted on radiologic basis with pulmonary infection, tumours, metastasis or fibrosis. Those radiologic changes disappeared or improved in 72 hrs. with treatment of left ventricular failure.

Dressler-like syndrome after pulmonary embolism and infarction.

Among 195 patients with pulmonary embolism admitted to our hospital, three men and three women, 16 to 65 years old, developed a pericardial syndrome five to 15 days after the onset of pulmonary embolism and infarction. Other known causes of pericarditis were ruled out by clinical history and ancillary methods. The six patients had a pericardial rub, fever, anemia, leukocytosis, and increasing sedimentation rate; four had a pericardial effusion; two had a pleural effusion. One patient, with coexisting heart disease, died after another episode of pulmonary embolism; in the other five, oral corticosteroids induced complete remission of the pericardial syndrome. This type of pericarditis deserves wider recognition.

[Massive pulmonary thromboembolism with left axis deviation and low voltage]. / Tromboembolia pulmonar masiva con desviación del eje eléctrico a la izquierda y bajo voltaje.

The classic electrocardiographic abnormalities observed in massive or submassive thromboembolism in the absence of preexistent cardiac or pulmonary disease are: S1Q3T3 pattern, right axis deviation, "pulmonary" P wave, ST segment depression or elevation, subepicardic ischemia and transient right bundle branch block. Left axis deviation due to pulmonary embolism was first described in 1949; this same finding and the presence of low voltage of the frontal plane owed to pulmonary embolism has been reported occasionally in the last decades, but it has had little diffusion. We report on a patient with no prior cardiac or pulmonary disease who suffered massive pulmonary thromboembolism. Electrocardiographically left axis deviation and low voltage of the horizontal plane attributed to pulmonary thromboembolism was observed. The mechanisms that originate this electrocardiographic changes in pulmonary embolism are unknown. Since the electrocardiogram is aspecific method for the diagnosis of this disorder, and the presence of the mentioned changes originate a greater difficulty in the diagnosis; we consider is important to publish it.