Impact of a pulmonary embolism response team (PERT) in the prognosis of patients with acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism.

BACKGROUND: The effect of a pulmonary embolism response team (PERT) in the short-term prognosis of patients with acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE) lacks clarity. We therefore aimed at evaluating the effect of a PERT team on short-term mortality among patients with acute PE. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with acute symptomatic PE enrolled in a single-center registry between 2007 and 2022. We used propensity score matching to compare treatment effects for patients with similar predicted probabilities of receiving management by the PERT team. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality within 30 days following the diagnosis of PE. The secondary outcome was 30-day PE-related mortality. RESULTS: Of the 2,902 eligible patients who had acute symptomatic PE, 223 (7.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.7%-8.7%) were managed by the PERT team. Two hundred and seven patients who were treated by the PERT were matched with 207 patients who were not. Matched pairs did not show a statistically significant lower all-cause (odds ratio [OR], 1.09; 95% CI, 0.63-1.89) or PE-related death (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 0.47-3.62) for PERT management compared with no PERT management through 30 days after diagnosis of PE. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that multidisciplinary care of patients with acute symptomatic PE by a PERT team is not associated with a significant reduction in short-term all-cause or PE-related mortality.

Evaluation of angiogenic factors in prediction of growth-related neonatal morbidity at term and comparison with competing-risks model.

OBJECTIVES: First, to describe the distribution of biomarkers of impaired placentation in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) pregnancies with neonatal morbidity; second, to examine the predictive performance for growth-related neonatal morbidity of a high soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1)/placental growth factor (PlGF) ratio or low PlGF; and, third, to compare the performance of a high sFlt-1/PlGF ratio or low PlGF with that of the competing-risks model for SGA in predicting growth-related neonatal morbidity. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of women attending for a routine hospital visit at 35 + 0 to 36 + 6 weeks' gestation in two maternity hospitals in England. The visit included recording of maternal demographic characteristics and medical history, an ultrasound scan and measurement of serum PlGF and sFlt-1. The primary outcome was delivery within 4 weeks after assessment and at < 42 weeks' gestation of a SGA neonate with birth weight < 10th or < 3rd percentile, combined with neonatal unit (NNU) admission for ≥ 48 h or a composite of major neonatal morbidity. The detection rates in screening by PlGF < 10th percentile, sFlt-1/PlGF ratio > 90th percentile, sFlt-1/PlGF ratio > 38 and the competing-risks model for SGA, using combinations of maternal risk factors and Z-scores of estimated fetal weight (EFW) with multiples of the median values of uterine artery pulsatility index, PlGF and sFlt-1, were estimated. The detection rates by the different methods of screening were compared using McNemar's test. RESULTS: In the study population of 29 035 women, prediction of growth-related neonatal morbidity at term provided by the competing-risks model was superior to that of screening by low PlGF concentration or a high sFlt-1/PlGF concentration ratio. For example, at a screen-positive rate (SPR) of 13.1%, as defined by the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio > 38, the competing-risks model using maternal risk factors and EFW predicted 77.5% (95% CI, 71.7-83.3%) of SGA < 10th percentile and 89.3% (95% CI, 83.7-94.8%) of SGA < 3rd percentile with NNU admission for ≥ 48 h delivered within 4 weeks after assessment. The respective values for SGA with major neonatal morbidity were 71.4% (95% CI, 56.5-86.4%) and 90.0% (95% CI, 76.9-100%). These were significantly higher than the respective values of 41.0% (95% CI, 34.2-47.8%) (P < 0.0001), 48.8% (95% CI, 39.9-57.7%) (P < 0.0001), 37.1% (95% CI, 21.1-53.2%) (P = 0.003) and 55.0% (95% CI, 33.2-76.8%) (P = 0.035) achieved by the application of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio > 38. At a SPR of 10.0%, as defined by PlGF < 10th percentile, the competing-risks model using maternal factors and EFW predicted 71.5% (95% CI, 65.2-77.8%) of SGA < 10th percentile and 84.3% (95% CI, 77.8-90.8%) of SGA < 3rd percentile with NNU admission for ≥ 48 h delivered within 4 weeks after assessment. The respective values for SGA with major neonatal morbidity were 68.6% (95% CI, 53.1-83.9%) and 85.0% (95% CI, 69.4-100%). These were significantly higher than the respective values of 36.5% (95% CI, 29.8-43.2%) (P < 0.0001), 46.3% (95% CI, 37.4-55.2%) (P < 0.0001), 37.1% (95% CI, 21.1-53.2%) (P = 0.003) and 55.0% (95% CI, 33.2-76.8%) (P = 0.021) achieved by the application of PlGF < 10th percentile. CONCLUSION: At 36 weeks' gestation, the prediction of growth-related neonatal morbidity by the competing-risks model for SGA, using maternal risk factors and EFW, is superior to that of a high sFlt-1/PlGF ratio or low PlGF. © 2023 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Ophthalmic artery Doppler and biomarkers of impaired placentation at 36 weeks' gestation in pregnancies with small fetuses.

OBJECTIVES: First, to compare ophthalmic artery peak systolic velocity (PSV) ratio and biomarkers of impaired placentation at 36 weeks' gestation in women who delivered a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) or growth-restricted (FGR) neonate, in the absence of hypertensive disorder, with those of women who developed pre-eclampsia (PE) or gestational hypertension (GH) and of women unaffected by SGA, FGR, PE or GH. Second, to examine the associations of PSV ratio, uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA-PI), placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) with birth-weight Z-score or percentile. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of women with a singleton pregnancy attending for a routine hospital visit at 35 + 0 to 36 + 6 weeks' gestation. This visit included recording of maternal demographic characteristics and medical history, ultrasound examination of fetal anatomy and growth, and measurement of maternal ophthalmic artery PSV ratio, UtA-PI, PlGF and sFlt-1. Values of PSV ratio, UtA-PI, PlGF and sFlt-1 were converted to multiples of the median (MoM) or delta values. Median MoM or deltas of these biomarkers in the SGA, FGR, PE and GH groups were compared with those in the unaffected group. Regression analysis was used to examine the relationship of PSV ratio delta, UtA-PI MoM, PlGF MoM and sFlt-1 MoM with birth-weight Z-score, after exclusion of PE and GH cases. RESULTS: The study population of 9033 pregnancies included 7696 (85.2%) that were not affected by FGR, SGA, PE or GH, 182 (2.0%) complicated by FGR in the absence of PE or GH, 698 (7.7%) with SGA in the absence of FGR, PE or GH, 236 (2.6%) with PE and 221 (2.4%) with GH. Compared with unaffected pregnancies, in the FGR and SGA groups, the PSV ratio delta and sFlt-1 MoM were increased and PlGF MoM was decreased; UtA-PI MoM was increased in the FGR group but not the SGA group. The magnitude of the changes in biomarker values relative to the unaffected group was smaller in the FGR and SGA groups than that in the PE and GH groups. In non-hypertensive pregnancies, there were significant inverse associations of PSV ratio delta and UtA-PI MoM with birth-weight Z-score, such that the values were increased in small babies and decreased in large babies. There was a quadratic relationship between PlGF MoM and birth-weight Z-score, with low PlGF levels in small babies and high PlGF levels in large babies. There was no significant association between sFlt-1 MoM and birth-weight Z-score. CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmic artery PSV ratio, reflective of peripheral vascular resistance, and UtA-PI, PlGF and sFlt-1, biomarkers of impaired placentation, are altered in pregnancies complicated by hypertensive disorder and, to a lesser extent, in non-hypertensive pregnancies delivering a SGA or FGR neonate. The associations between the biomarkers and birth-weight Z-score suggest the presence of a continuous physiological relationship between fetal size and peripheral vascular resistance and placentation, rather than a dichotomous relationship of high peripheral resistance and impaired placentation in small compared to non-small fetuses. © 2023 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The use of the acute Pd/Pa drop after intracoronary nitroglycerin infusion to rule out significant FFR: CANICA (Can intracoronary nitroglycerin predict fractional flow reserve without adenosine?) multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: Functional assessment of coronary artery stenosis is performed by measuring the fractional flow reserve (FFR) under hyperemic conditions (Adenosine). However, the use of adenosine portends limitations. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate the relationship and correlation between FFR and the Pd/Pa value obtained just after the intracoronary infusion (acute drop) of nitroglycerin (Pd/Pa-NTG) and if this parameter enhances diagnostic accuracy for FFR prediction compared to the resting baseline Pd/Pa. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter study including prospectively patients presenting intermediate coronary artery stenosis (30-70%) evaluated with pressure wire. Resting baseline Pd/Pa, Pd/Pa-NTG and FFR were measured. RESULTS: 283 patients (335 lesions) were included. Resting baseline Pd/Pa value was 0.72 to 1.0 (0.93 ± 0.04), Pd/Pa-NTG was 0.60 to 1.0 (0.87 ± 0.07) and FFR 0.55 to 1.0 (0.83 ± 0.08). The ROC curves for resting baseline Pd/Pa and for Pd/Pa-NTG, using a FFR ≤ 0.80 showed an AUC of 0.88 (95% CI: 0.84-0.92, P < 0.001) and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.92-0.96, P < 0.001) respectively. The optimal cutoff values of resting baseline Pd/Pa and Pd/Pa-NTG for an FFR > 0.80, were >0.96 and >0.88, respectively. These values were present in a 29.8% (n = 100) and a 47.1% (n = 158), of the total lesions. Scatter plots showed a better correlation and agreement points with Pd/Pa-NTG than resting baseline Pd/Pa. The cutoff value of Pd/Pa-NTG > 0.88 showed an excellent NPV (96.2% for FFR > 0.8 and 100% for FFR > 0.75) and sensitivity (95% for FFR > 0.8 and 100% for FFR > 0.75) which were consistently high across all the subgroups analysis. CONCLUSION: The cutoff value of acute Pd/Pa-NTG > 0.88 has a high NPV meaning adenosine-FFR can be avoided in almost half of lesions.

Obesidad y enfermedad coronaria. ¿Asociación compleja o paradójica? / Obesity and coronary artery disease. Complex or paradox association?

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Acute rheumatic fever in a grown up with repaired tetralogy of Fallot: the role of acquired diseases in patients with congenital heart diseases.

We report a 20 year old patient with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot who presented with acute right side heart failure. The echocardiogram showed severe mitral regurgitation which was not present one year before. Because of mitral insufficiency, pulmonary pressure increased and it was nearby 70% systemic pressure. Pulmonary regurgitation got worse, and the patient came to the hospital in a state of anasarca. After valve replacement, histopathological study of the mitral valve and the aortic valve revealed Aschoff nodules and rheumatic fever was confirmed.

Current pharmacological approach to restore endothelial dysfunction.

Endothelial dysfunction is characterized by an impairment of endothelium-dependent vasodilatation. It has been linked to each of the known atherogenic risk factors, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, cigarette smoking, menopause, etc. A number of recent studies have shown that the severity of endothelial dysfunction correlates with the development of coronary artery disease and predicts future cardiovascular events. Therefore, these findings strengthen the hypothesis that endothelial dysfunction may be an early stage of coronary atherosclerosis. This phenomenon primarily reflects an imbalance between the vasodilating (nitric oxide) and vasoconstrictor agents (endothelin-1). Several invasive (intracoronary or intrabrachial infusions of vasoacting agents) and non-invasive techniques (assessment of flow mediated vasodilatation in the brachial artery by ultrasound) have been developed during the last few years to evaluate endothelial function in the coronary and peripheral circulation. This new methodology has allowed assessing the severity of the abnormalities in vascular function and their regression by several pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. It is likely that restoration of endothelial function can regress the atherosclerotic disease process and prevent future cardiovascular events. Most pharmacological interventions attempting to improve endothelial dysfunction targeted the risk factors linked to endothelial dysfunction: hypertension (ACE-inhibitors, calcium antagonists), dyslipidaemia (lipid-lowering agents) and menopause (estrogens). Nevertheless, several pharmacological agents have been suggested to achieve vascular protection through different mechanisms beyond their primary therapeutic actions: ACE-inhibitors, statins, third generation of beta-blockers (nebivolol), endothelium-derived nitric oxide synthesis (tetrahydrobiopterin, BH4) and antioxidants agents. In this review we will focus on the current pharmacological management of the endothelial dysfunction.

Segunda Encuesta Nacional de Sobrepeso y Obesidad (ENSO 2) adultos (18-65 años o más) / Obesity (ENSO 2 - Encuesta Nacional de Sobrepeso y Obesidad adultos) 18- 65 years old or older

Introducción: la obesidad es una epidemia en expansión que determina una alta morbimortalidad para la población general y altos costos para el sistema nacional de salud. Objetivos: evaluar la prevalencia de obesidad, sus comorbilidades y factores predispontenes mediante la Segunda Encuesta Nacional de Sobrepeso y Obesidad en Uruguay (ENSO 2) enindividuos entre 18 y 65 años o más, realizada en el año 2006. Material y método: estudio observacional de tipo transversal. Muestra representativa del país urbano, 91% de la población total. N = 900 (399 hombres y 501 mujeres (mujer/hombre = 1,25). Las entrevistas, el pesado y tallado, fueron realizados en la casa del encuestado. Setrabajó en diez de los 19 departamentos del país. Resultados: en Uruguay, 54% de la población adulta alcanza o excede (>) el índice de masa corporal de 25 kg/m2 (IMC = peso corporal en kg / talla en m2) y 20% el IMC > 30 kg/m2.Uno de cada dos adultos uruguayos padece sobrepeso u obesidad y uno de cinco es obeso. Se señalan grupos de riesgo y oportunidades en prevención. También se analiza la relación dela obesidad con las enfermedades cardiometabólicas, que aumentan dramáticamente en línea con el IMC y la medida de la cintura, como la hipertensión arterial, la cardiopatía isquémica, la diabetes 2 y el Stroke.Conclusiones: estas cifras epidémicas de obesidad y sus comorbilidades determinan un alto riesgo sanitario para la población general y económico para nuestro sistema nacional de salud.

Introduction: obesity is a spreading epidemic that has high morbimortality rates for the general population andhigh cost for the national health system.Objective: to evaluate prevalence of obesity, its comorbilities and predisposing factors through the SecondNational Survey on Overweight and Obesity in Uruguay (ENSO 2) in people between 18 and 65 years, or older,carried out in 2006. Methods: we conducted a transversal observationalstudy over a representative group of the urban country, 91% of the total population. N= 900 (399 men and 501women (women/man= 1.25). Subjects were interviewed, weighed and measured in their homes. We covered 10 out of the 19 territorial divisions in the country. Results: in Uruguay, 54% of the adult population reaches or exceeds the 25 kg/m2 body mass index (BMI = body weight in kg / height in m2) and 20% = 30 kg /m2 BMI.One out of two Uruguayan adults is overweight or obese and one out of five is obese. We highlighted risk groupsand opportunities for prevention. The study also examined the association between obesity and cardiometabolicdiseases, which dramatically increase aligned with the BMI and the waist circumference, type 2 diabetes and stroke. Conclusions: epidemic figures corresponding to obesity and its co-morbilities determine both high health risks for the general population, and high economic costs for our national health system.

Introdução: a obesidade é uma epidemia crescente com alta morbimortalidade que gera altos custos para o sistemanacional de saúde. Objetivo: avaliar a prevalência de obesidade em adultos,sua co-morbidade e fatores de pré-disposição através do Segundo Censo Nacional de Sobrepeso e Obesidadeno Uruguai (ENSO 2) realizado em 2006 com adultos maiores de 18 anos.Material e método: estudo observacional transversal. Amostra representativa de áreas urbanas do país, equivalentea 91% da população total. (N = 900, 399 homens e 501 mulheres, mulher/homem = 1.25). As entrevistas e as medidas de peso e altura foram realizadas na casa da pessoacensada. O censo foi realizado em dez dos dezenove departamentosdo pais. Resultados: no Uruguai, 54% da população adulta apresenta um IMC (IMC = peso corporal em kg / altura emm2) igual ou superior a 25 kg/m2 e 20% um IMC = 30 kg /m2. De cada dois adultos uruguaios um tem sobrepeso ou é obeso, e de cada cinco adultos um é obeso. Foram identificados grupos de risco e oportunidades de prevenção. Arelação da obesidade com as doenças cardiometabólicas, que aumentam em proporção com o aumento do IMC e amedida da cintura, como a hipertensão arterial, a cardiopatia isquêmica, os acidentes vasculares cerebrais foram analisadas. Conclusões: estes dados epidêmicos de obesidade e as doenças a ela associadas estabelecem um risco de saúde alto para a população e econômico para o sistema nacional de saúde.

Episodios repetidos de disociación electromecánica en un paciente con angina de Prinzmetal / No disponible

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Pharmacological approach of no-reflow phenomenon related with percutaneous coronary interventions.

The no-reflow phenomenon (NRP) is characterized by an inadequate myocardial tissue perfusion in the presence of a patent epicardial coronary artery. It generally occurs after temporary occlusion of the artery causing myocardial ischemia and necrosis that persist after relief of the vessel occlusion, without evidence of epicardial mechanical obstruction. Currently, the main scenario of NRP is the setting of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), especially in patients with acute myocardial infarction or saphenous vein graft disease, and its occurrence is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Pathophysiology of NRP is not fully understood but it seems to be related with microvascular damage. Several mechanisms have been involved, such as distal microembolization, interstitial and intracellular edema, coronary spasm and capillary plugging. Diagnosis of NRP is generally based on clinical and angiographic data. Several methods have been proposed for the assessment of NRP, such as electrocardiography, myocardial contrast echocardiography, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear imaging or positron emission tomography, that have demonstrated additional prognostic value over angiography. There are different pharmacological and mechanical approaches for the prevention of NRP but none of them have demonstrated a clear efficacy. The treatment of established NRP is mainly based on the administration of coronary vasodilators, like adenosine, verapamil or nitroprusside, but clinical results are frequently disappointing. The objective of this review is to describe the state of the art of the pathophysiology, diagnosis and pharmacological management of NRP.

Fístulas anales complejas: a propósito de 154 casos / Complex anal fistulae: regarding 154 cases

Introducción: Un buen referente de la complejidad de la fístula es el grado de compromiso del músculo esfinteriano. Son importantes, también, la presencia de trayectos secundarios, fístulas múltiples, multioperadas o con alteraciones previas de la continencia. Objetivo: Comunicar la clasificación empleada, el tratamiento y los resultados. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio observacional, prospectivo, de corte transverso de 154 casos de fístulas anales complejas tratadas en la 2º Cátedra de Clínica Quirúrgica del Hospital de Clínicas de la FCM, UNA y la Clínica Regional, durante 10 años. La clasificación empleada se basó en la relación entre la altura del trayecto con respecto al esfínter. Se consignaron antecedentes de operacion

Fístulas anales complejas: a propósito de 154 casos / Complex anal fistulae: regarding 154 cases

Introducción: Un buen referente de la complejidad de la fístula es el grado de compromiso del músculo esfinteriano. Son importantes, también, la presencia de trayectos secundarios, fístulas múltiples, multioperadas o con alteraciones previas de la continencia. Objetivo: Comunicar la clasificación empleada, el tratamiento y los resultados. Pacientes y métodos: Estudio observacional, prospectivo, de corte transverso de 154 casos de fístulas anales complejas tratadas en la 2§ Cátedra de Clínica Quirúrgica del Hospital de Clínicas de la FCM, UNA y la Clínica Regional, durante 10 años. La clasificación empleada se basó en la relación entre la altura del trayecto con respecto al esfínter. Se consignaron antecedentes de operaciones y alteraciones previas de la continencia, tipo de fistula, tratamiento y las complicaciones alejadas. El seguimiento promedio fue de 4,6 años. Resultados: Tenían antecedente de intervenciones previas por fístulas 57 pacientes, con promedio de 3,4 operaciones. Siete de estos pacientes refirieron disturbios de la continencia. Casi el 80 por ciento fueron fístulas altas. La mayoría fueron tratadas por fistulotomía en dos etapas. Se observaron 4 recidivas (2,6 por ciento) y hubo trastornos de la continencia en 21 pacientes (13,6 por ciento). Conclusiones: La mayoría de las fístulas fueron altas. El tratamiento en etapas tiene buenos resultados, con recurrencia poco frecuente y alteraciones menores de la continencia dentro de márgenes aceptables.

Aortitis por aspergillus tras cirugía combinada valvular aórtica y by-pass aortocoronario / Aspergillus aortitis after aortic valve and triple aorto-coronary by-pass surgery

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[HTLV-I/II seroprevalence and risk factors associated with infection in a blood donor population in Córdoba, Argentina]. / Seroprevalencia de HTLV-I/II y factores de riesgo asociados a la infección en la población de donantes de sangre de Córdoba, Argentina.

In this study we have determined the seroprevalence of infections by HTLV-I/II in the blood donor population from the city of Córdoba. A total of 5476 blood donor sera were screened for HTLV-I/II antibodies by particle agglutination assay (PA) (SERODIA HTLV-I, Fujirebio INC, Tokyo, Japan). The reactive sera samples were confirmed by an "in house" indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). 14 out of 5476 blood donors studied were PA reactive and were confirmed positive by IFA, showing a prevalence of 0.26% (95% confidence interval: 0.126%-0.394%). All the positive samples, except one, met the criteria for HTLV-I. Although one HTLV-I infected donor was an intravenous drug abuser and two donors were born in highly endemic areas for HTLV-I, no specific risk factors were identified among the others. The demonstration that HTLV-I circulates in blood donor population of Córdoba, points out that the systematic screening of blood for HTLV-I/II antibodies must be implemented in the blood banks, in an attempt to prevent the spread of infections with this oncogenic virus in Argentina.