[Intrapericardial cisplatin for malignant tamponade]. / Cisplatino intrapericárdico en el taponamiento neoplásico.

The choice therapy of malignant pericardial effusion is controversial. Pericardiocentesis is usually successful in alleviating tamponade, but unfortunately, that tamponade recurs frequently and patients are then again exposed to a critical situation and need hospitalization. Several different approaches have been advocated in order to prevent reaccumulation of the pericardial fluid, most of them quite cumbersome. We present our experience with intrapericardial administration of cisplatin. There were 6 patients, and the primary tumor was breast carcinoma in 2, lung in 1, ovary in 1, mediastinal fibrosarcoma in 1, and unknown in 1. Administration of cisplatin was virtually uneventful and painless, and there were no recurrences, with a survival of 2 to 18 months (mean 5.6).We conclude that intrapericardial cisplatin is safe and effective in treating malignant pericardial tamponade and preventing recurrence.

[A right atrial thrombus in transit: its echocardiographic diagnosis 72 hours before a pulmonary embolism]. / Trombo en tránsito en aurícula derecha: diagnóstico ecocardiográfico 72 horas antes de un embolismo pulmonar.

We report a case of a 72-year-old woman with coronary artery disease in whom a thrombus in transit in the right atrium was diagnosed accidentally. After 72 hours of treatment with intravenous anticoagulants she developed a pulmonary thromboembolism resolved with systemic fibrinolysis. This is a rare case in which such a diagnosis preceded an embolic event. This fact raises the controversy about the best therapeutic management of this unusual form of thromboembolic illness.

[Aortic coarctation: different anatomo-clinical forms depending on the age of presentation]. / Coartación de aorta: diferentes formas anatomoclínicas según la edad de presentación.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the anatomo-clinical characteristics of the coarctation of the aorta at different ages of presentation as well as the findings and results of its surgical correction at different periods. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied the clinical and angiographic data, as well as the intraoperative findings and surgical outcomes of 82 consecutive patients (54 M and 28 F) with coarctation of the aorta. Mean age was 16.2 +/- 13.7 years (1 month to 63 years). The patients were divided into three groups according to age: Group A (n = 10) under 1 year; Group B (n = 30) from 1 to 12 years and Group C (n = 42) over 12 years. RESULTS: A preductal form was found in 20.7% cases (50.0%, 30.0% and 7.1% of groups A, B, and C respectively; p = 0.003). An associated left-to-right shunt was present in 19.5% (40.0%, 16.7% and 16.7% of groups A, B and C respectively; p = NS). The first manifestation of the disease was different in groups A, B and C. Among group A patients, congestive heart failure was the most frequent presentation (70.0%). In group B, the most frequent presentation (30%) was as an incidental finding in an asymptomatic patient. Finally, systemic hypertension or its complications predominated among group C patients (38.0%). Left ventricular hypertrophy on ECG was present in 0.0%, 30.0% and 54.7% of patients in groups A, B and C (p = 0.003) respectively. Postoperative complications including death, hypertensive crisis and re-coarctation were observed in 90.0%, 33.3% and 21.4% in groups A, B and C (p = 0.01) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with coarctation of the aorta, the age of clinical presentation allows us to define groups of patients with different anatomical characteristics, clinical course and postoperative outcome.

[Influence of coronary risk factors in secondary prevention: tobacco]. / Influencia de los factores de riesgo coronario en prevención secundaria: tabaco.

Tobacco smoking is a strong independent factor for atherosclerotic disease, equivalent to hypertension or high cholesterol levels. Middle age people are especially involved, with a mortality rate of about 20% as a consequence of smoking, and a mean loss of life expectancy of 20 years. There is a positive correlation between smoking and severity of atherosclerotic disease in the coronary and cerebral arteries, and the aorta. It has been shown that smoking cessation clearly enhances the prognosis of patients with myocardial infarction. Twice a increase in mortality rate has been found among nonstopping smokers compared with those who stopped smoking eight years after myocardial infarction. In addition, progression of atherosclerosis as shown by angiography is slowed by stopping to smoke. As the coronary risk factors act in a synergistic way, a comprehensive approach to the patient is recommended, especially in smokers with myocardial infarction. It is justified an intensive intervention because of the advantages in this population. The physician should clearly communicate to the patient the need of stopping to smoke, which carries sometimes as beneficial effects as other interventions. A wise use of replacement therapy with transdermal nicotine, together with other useful measures, allows us to manage patients with a broad margin of safety, especially in coronary patients, who win most benefit from ceasing to smoke.