[Clinicoepidemiologic study of tuberculosis in the Ferrol area (1990-1991)]. / Estudio clinicoepidemiológico de la tuberculosis en el área de Ferrol (1990-1991).

BACKGROUND: To know about the main characteristics of tuberculous disease in our county. METHOD: A two-year period (1990-91), retrospective survey of the patients diagnosed of tuberculosis at a hospital from the north of La Coruña (Spain) was performed. A total of 322 cases were found, 165 diagnosed at the hospital and the remaining cases at the clinic. In the latter group, microbiological findings were the only diagnostic criteria considered. On the hospital-diagnosed cases three diagnostic categories were established: 1) definite; 2) probable, and 3) clinical diagnosis. RESULTS: The 1991 annual rate was 73.8 cases/100.000 inhabitants and the estimate rate was 80 cases/100.000. On analysis of the hospital-based diagnosed subgroup (165 patients), there was a male predominance (112/165), mean age was 35 years and 75% of patients were 44-year-old or younger. The most common clinical presentation was pulmonary (94 cases), pleural (33 cases) and pleuro-pulmonary disease (18 cases). Nine patients had concurrent infection with the human immunodeficiency virus. There was a culture-proven diagnosis of infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis on 117/165 cases. A total of 115 cases (69.7%) received a three-drugs, 9 months therapy. The clinical outcome was fully satisfactory in 79/101 patients (78.2%) with a follow-up longer than 6 months. Only in one case there was a tuberculosis-related death. CONCLUSIONS: The high incidence rate, as well as age distribution and the frequency of pleural disease suggest a high tuberculous endemy at our region, over the rates from other parts of Spain.

[Endocarditis and splenic abscess from Salmonella no typhi]. / Endocarditis y absceso esplénico por Salmonella no typhi.

Several focal forms of infection by Salmonella no typhi, as the endocarditis, are very rare and the coexistence of splenic abscess is even more rare. We present a case in which the simultaneous presence of both infections was observed and we review the literature with special emphasis in the therapeutical aspects.

Respuesta Cardiorrespiratoria a la hipoxia en la hipertensión arterial esencial / Answer Cardiorrespiratory to it hipoxia in the arterial essential hypertension

Se decide emplear el método de respiración en circuito cerrado como actividad evaluativa de las respuestas cardiorrespiratorias a la hipercapnia en hipertensos esenciales y sujetos normales y la posible influencia de la edad, ya que entendemos que su respuesta difiere. Se utilizaron 30 hipertensos y 30 normotensos, los cuales se dividieron en 3 grupos atendiendo a la edad y se sometieron a la prueba durante 3 minutos. En los resultados obtenidos se observaron incrementos de todos los parámetros estudiados, aunque solo se observaron diferencias significativas en la respuesta ventilatoria de los hipertensos lo que se hacia más manifiesto con el aumento de la edad. Hecho que demuestra que la respuesta cardiorrespiratoria a la hipoxia es superior en los hipertensos (AU)

Respuesta Cardiorrespiratoria a la hipoxia en la hipertensión arterial esencial / Answer Cardiorrespiratory to it hipoxia in the arterial essential hypertension

Se decide emplear el método de respiración en circuito cerrado como actividad evaluativa de las respuestas cardiorrespiratorias a la hipercapnia en hipertensos esenciales y sujetos normales y la posible influencia de la edad, ya que entendemos que su respuesta difiere. Se utilizaron 30 hipertensos y 30 normotensos, los cuales se dividieron en 3 grupos atendiendo a la edad y se sometieron a la prueba durante 3 minutos. En los resultados obtenidos se observaron incrementos de todos los parámetros estudiados, aunque solo se observaron diferencias significativas en la respuesta ventilatoria de los hipertensos lo que se hacia más manifiesto con el aumento de la edad. Hecho que demuestra que la respuesta cardiorrespiratoria a la hipoxia es superior en los hipertensos

[Functional capacity and rhythm changes after atrial correction of transposition of great arteries]. / Capacidad funcional y alteraciones del ritmo después de corrección auricular de la transposición de las grandes arterias.

A group of 12 patients, previously submitted to atrial correction of the transposition of the great vessels, were studied through stress test with direct metabolimetry and Holter to assess aerobic functional capacity and its relationship with conduction disturbances. The results were compared with those obtained with a control group of 23 non athletic healthy children. All the patients showed amputation of their heart rates on effort, though this parameter and the oxygen consumption were normal at low work load levels. The VO2 at anaerobic threshold, the maximum VO2, and the maximum work load were also decreased in most of the patients. Holter studies demonstrated sick sinus syndrome in nine of them. Aerobic functional capacity was reduced in most of the patients with atrial correction of the transposition of the great vessels. The amputation of the heart rate on effort is a common finding though its relationship with the decrease of the aerobic functional capacity in these patients is limited. Finally, the stress test is probably more sensible than Holter for the detection of slight degrees of sinus disfunction.

[Evaluation of diabetic vegetative neuropathy using non-invasive cardiovascular explorations]. / Valoración de la neuropatía vegetativa diabética mediante exploraciones cardiovasculares no invasivas.

The alterations in autonomic nervous system due to diabetes mellitus are described. We propose a series of non-invasive methods to assess the autonomic function in this type of patients.