Telemedicine consultation for emergency patients' attention: a clinical experience from a high complex university hospital from Latin America.

INTRODUCTION: As a result of the new coronavirus pandemic, a highly complex academic hospital in Latin America implemented a telemedicine service for the care of obstetric, pediatric, and adult patients. In 2020, regional emergency services collapsed due to the increase in demand for care, generating the need to open expansion services and seek strategies to provide timely care to consulting patients. OBJECTIVE: We retrospectively describe the clinical experience of patients who consulted the emergency department via telemedicine across a videoconference tool using digital platforms. METHODS: A descriptive study with retrospective data collection was conducted to describe the implementation of the teleconsultation care model for patients. We constructed the clinical process indicators to evaluate the model. RESULTS: A total of 4652 teleconsultations were registered. Telemedicine consultation was above 50% in the country and department and above 90% in Cali city. The average waiting time for care was estimated to be 1:59:52 h. A total of 275 patients were transferred to the emergency room after consultation. The principal reasons for consultation in the institutional telemedicine program were respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms. Teleconsultations related to SARS-COV 2 infections reported 3775 patients (3127 with unidentified virus and 648 with the identified virus). CONCLUSIONS: Telemedicine is a tool that provides support and guidance to patients who consult emergency departments, reducing barriers to access health care and decreasing emergency department collapse.

[Regular arrangement of collecting venules (RAC) as a predictor of the absence of Helicobacter pylori infection with conventional endoscopes in a Latin American population, diagnostic performance by subgroups]. / Disposición regular de vénulas colectoras (RAC) como predictor de ausencia de infección por Helicobacter pylori con endoscopios convencionales en población latina, rendimiento diagnóstico por subgrupos.

INTRODUCTION: The regular arrangement of collecting venules has high value to predict the absence of gastric infection by Helicobacter Pylori, the studies that have validated this finding were carried out with magnification images and digital chromoendoscopy, it is common to perform endoscopies with conventional white light equipment without magnification. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to validate this finding as a predictor of the absence of H. Pylori infection using endoscopy equipment with conventional white light without magnification. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational study was carried out identifying the presence of RAC with a conventional endoscope, the determination of Helicobacter pylori was established by histopathology. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) were calculated in relation to the presence of RAC and the H. pylori infection status. RESULTS: 241 patients were included, finding a sensitivity of 5%, with a specificity of 89%. The prevalence of H. Pylori decreased with age. CONCLUSION: This study reports a low sensitivity with a high specificity of the regular distribution of collecting venules to establish the state of infection by H. Pylori. The diagnostic performance was lower than that reported in studies carried out with chromium endoscopy with magnification.

Nonsplenorenal Spontaneous Portosystemic Shunts in Liver Transplant Attitude and Outcomes: A Single-Center Series.

BACKGROUND: Management of nonsplenorenal spontaneous portosystemic shunts (NSRSPSS) in liver transplant (LT) is controversial. Reports on the influence of its ligation suggest improvements in morbidity and survival. METHODS: Retrospective study of a single-center series. The objective was to analyze the outcomes and post-LT survival after the closure of NSRSPSS. RESULTS: Between January 2005 and April 2021 a total of 23 patients with NSRSPSS underwent LT. The shunt was superior mesenteric vein-vena cava in 12 (52.2%), inferior mesenteric vein-vena cava in 6 (26.1%), through the left gastric vein in 4 (17.4%), and portocava in 1 (4.3%). Seven patients presented portal vein thrombosis, with thrombectomy being performed in 5. Moreover, 21 patients had portoportal anastomosis, 1 patient required portal reconstruction at the splenomesenteric confluence, and 1 had a coronary-portal anastomosis. The NSRSPSS was closed in 22 cases (95.7%). The mean (SD) portal flow before and after the closure of NSRSPSS was 1395 (572) mL/min and 1773 (583) mL/min (104.4 [47.9] mL/min/100 g and 127.9 [4.9] mL/min/100 g, respectively). Six patients (26.1%) presented primary graft dysfunction, 13 (56.5%) acute kidney injury, and 9 (39%) ascites. Three arterial stenoses (13%), 2 biliary stenoses (8.6%), and 1 intrahepatic portal thrombosis (4.3%) occurred. Median intensive care unit and hospital stay was 5 days (range, 3-8 days) and 15 days (range, 13-21 days). After a mean follow-up of 5.18 (3.2) years, all patients except 1 are alive. CONCLUSIONS: The closure of the NSRSPSS during LT can optimize portal flow, with potential influence in morbidity and survival rates.

Ct values as a diagnostic tool for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 viral load using the QIAstat-Dx® Respiratory SARS-CoV-2 Panel.

OBJECTIVES: Qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction tests are not designed to provide quantitative or semiquantitative results because cycle threshold (Ct) values are not normalized to standardized controls of known concentration. The aim of this study was to characterize SARS-CoV-2 viral loads based on Ct values, using the QIAstat-Dx® Respiratory SARS-CoV-2 Panel. METHODS: Different lineages of SARS-CoV-2 clinical samples and the World Health Organization international standard were used to assess the linearity of the QIAstat-Dx Respiratory SARS-CoV-2 Panel. Limit of detection for the different lineages was characterized. RESULTS: Comparable efficiencies and linearity for all samples resulted in R2 ≥0.99, covering a dynamic range of 1,000,000-100 copies/mL for the SARS-CoV-2 assay, showing linear correlation between Ct values and viral load down to 300 copies/mL. CONCLUSION: The SARS-CoV-2 Ct values provided by the QIAstat-Dx® Respiratory SARS-CoV-2 Panel could be used as a surrogate for viral load given the linear correlation between Ct values and viral concentration down to limit of detection. This panel allows to obtain reproducible Ct values for SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid downstream of the sample collection, reducing the sample-to-Ct workflow variability. Ct values can help provide a reliable assessment and comparison of viral loads in patients when tested with the QIAstat-Dx Respiratory SARS-CoV-2 Panel.

Disposición regular de vénulas colectoras (RAC) como predictor de ausencia de infección por Helicobacter pylori con endoscopios convencionales en población latina, rendimiento diagnóstico por subgrupos

Introducción : La disposición regular de vénulas colectoras tiene alto valor para predecir la ausencia de infección gástrica por Helicobacter pylori, los estudios que validaron este hallazgo se realizaron con imágenes de magnificación y cromoendoscopia digital, es común realizar endoscopias con equipos convencionales de luz blanca sin magnificación. Objetivo : Este estudio pretende validar este hallazgo como predictor de ausencia de infección por H. pylori utilizando equipos de endoscopia con luz blanca convencional sin magnificación. Materiales y métodos : Se realizó un estudio observacional identificando la presencia de RAC con endoscopio convencional, la determinación de Helicobacter pylori se estableció por histopatología. Se calculó sensibilidad, especificidad, valor predictivo positivo (VPP) y valores predictivos negativos (VPN) en relación con la presencia de RAC y el estado de infección por H. pylori. Resultados : 241 pacientes fueron incluidos encontrando una sensibilidad de 5%, con especificidad de 89%. La prevalencia de H. pylori disminuyo con la edad. Conclusión : Este estudio reporta una baja sensibilidad con elevada especificidad de la distribución regular de vénulas colectoras para establecer el estado de infección por H. pylori. El desempeño diagnóstico fue inferior al reportado en estudios llevados a cabo con cromo endoscopia con magnificación.

Introduction : The regular arrangement of collecting venules has high value to predict the absence of gastric infection by Helicobacter Pylori, the studies that have validated this finding were carried out with magnification images and digital chromoendoscopy, it is common to perform endoscopies with conventional white light equipment without magnification. Objective : This study aims to validate this finding as a predictor of the absence of H. Pylori infection using endoscopy equipment with conventional white light without magnification. Material and methods : An observational study was carried out identifying the presence of RAC with a conventional endoscope, the determination of Helicobacter pylori was established by histopathology. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive values (NPV) were calculated in relation to the presence of RAC and the H. pylori infection status. Results : 241 patients were included, finding a sensitivity of 5%, with a specificity of 89%. The prevalence of H. Pylori decreased with age. Conclusion : This study reports a low sensitivity with a high specificity of the regular distribution of collecting venules to establish the state of infection by H. Pylori. The diagnostic performance was lower than that reported in studies carried out with chromium endoscopy with magnification.

¿Tiene buen pronóstico el tratamiento del Fenómeno de Cozen? / Does the treatment of Cozen’s Phenomenon have a good prognosis?

Introducción: Las fracturas de la metáfisis proximal de la tibia parecen inocuas, pero pueden presentar una complicación poco conocida denominada Fenómeno de Cozen, una deformidad tardía en valgo observable incluso después de completar el mejor tratamiento. Existen dificultades para establecer su etiología y protocolo de manejo, por consiguiente, sería importante esclarecer y reflexionar individualmente sobre la cirugía temprana y su pronóstico frente a la espera de una resolución espontánea. ObjetivosIntentar explorar la patogénesis y evolución del fenómeno de Cozen. Del mismo modo, se pretende conocer las distintas opciones de tratamiento y gestión de la prevención analizando el pronóstico a largo plazo. Material y métodos: Se realiza una revisión bibliográfica mediante una búsqueda en las principales bases de datos; PubMed, SciELO y Dialnet centrada en los últimos 5 - 15 años a nivel nacional e internacional, sobre documentos de todo tipo (principalmente revisiones bibliográficas y artículos). Resultados y discusión: Se escogieron un total de 37 documentos según los criterios previamente establecidos realizando un repaso de los conocimientos actuales acerca de los objetivos de la revisión. Conclusiones: tras una extensa revisión bibliográfica, este trabajo ha concluido que por consenso se considera que un enfoque conservador es el mejor manejo, abandonando la cirugía, que no es urgente. Si la corrección espontánea no se observa algunos autores recomiendan una cirugía mínima o crecimiento guiado como solución óptima. Ante la inocuidad es importante que el médico tratante esté alerta, dialogue con el paciente y sus padres sobre este fenómeno antes de tratarlo advirtiendo de la posibilidad un resultado desfavorable incluso tras un correcto tratamiento...(AU)

Introduction: Fractures of the proximal metaphysis of the tibia seem innocuous but can present a little-known complication called Cozen’s phenomenon, a late valgus deformity observable even after completing the best treatment. There are difficulties in establishing its etiology and management protocol; therefore, it would be important to individually clarify and reflect on early surgery and its prognosis when waiting for spontaneous resolution.Purpose: To try to explore the pathogenesis and evolution of the Cozen phenomenon. In the same way, it is intended to know the different treatment options and prevention management by analyzing the long-term prognosis. Material and methodsA bibliographic review is carried out through a search in the main databases; PubMed, SciELO and Dialnet focused on the last 5 - 15 years at a national and international level, on documents of all kinds (mainly bibliographic reviews and articles). Results and discussion: A total of 37 documents were chosen according to previously established criteria, conducting a review of current knowledge about the objectives of the review. Conclusions: After an extensive bibliographic review, this work has concluded that by consensus it is considered that a conservative approach is the best management, abandoning surgery, which is not urgent. If spontaneous correction is not observed, some authors recommend minimal surgery or guided growth as the optimal solution. Faced with safety, it is important that the treating physician is alert, dialogue with the patient and her parents about this phenomenon before treating it, warning of the possibility of an unfavorable result even after correct treatment...(AU)

Exploring factors influencing patient request for epidural analgesia on admission to labor and delivery in a predominantly Latino population.

Ethnic disparities in labor pain management exist. Our purpose is to identify patients' attitudes and beliefs about epidural analgesia in order to develop a culturally competent educational intervention. A prospective observational study was conducted in patients admitted for vaginal delivery between July 1st-31st, 2009. Inclusion criteria were: singleton, term, cephalic, normal fetal heart tracing and no contraindications for epidural. Patients were surveyed regarding their wishes for analgesia, and their reasons for declining epidural. The obstetrics physician performed pain management counseling as is usually done. Patients were asked again about their choice for analgesia. Likert scale questionnaires were used. Wilcoxon signed ranked test was used for categorical variables. Logistic regression was performed to look for predictors of epidural request. Fifty patients were interviewed. Average age was (27.9 ± 6.7), gestational age (39.3 ± 1.3), and a median parity of 2 (range 0-6). 72% declined epidural upon admission, and 61% after counseling (P = 0.14). Most common reasons for declined epidural were 'women should cope with labor pain' (57%), 'fear of back pain' (54%) and 'family/friends advise against epidural' (36%). Acculturation was assessed by years living in the US (10 ± 6.3), preferred language (Spanish 80%) and ethnic self-identification (Hispanic 98%). 38% were high school graduates. In multivariate logistic regression, graduation from high school was the only variable associated to request for epidural in labor (OR 4.94, 95% CI 1.6-15.1). Educational level is associated to requesting an epidural in labor. Knowledge of patients' fears and expectations is essential to develop adequate counseling interventions.