Pancreatic and Hepatic Injury in COVID-19: A Worse Prognosis in NAFLD Patients?

The novel disease produced by SARS-CoV-2 mainly harms the respiratory tract, but it has shown the capacity to affect multiple organs. Epidemiologic evidence supports the relationship between Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and pancreatic and hepatic injury development, identified by alterations in these organ function markers. In this regard, it is important to ascertain how the current prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) might affect COVID-19 evolution and complications. Although it is not clear how SARS-CoV-2 affects both the pancreas and the liver, a multiplicity of potential pathophysiological mechanisms seem to be implicated; among them, a direct viral-induced injury to the organ involving liver and pancreas ACE2 expression. Additionally, immune system dysregulation, coagulopathies, and drugs used to treat the disease could be key for developing complications associated with the patient's clinical decline. This review aims to provide an overview of the available epidemiologic evidence regarding developing liver and pancreatic alterations in patients with COVID-19, as well as the possible role that NAFLD/NASH might play in the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying some of the complications associated with COVID-19. This review employed a comprehensive search on PubMed using relevant keywords and filters. From the initial 126 articles, those aligning with the research target were selected and evaluated for their methodologies, findings, and conclusions. It sheds light on the potential pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this relationship. As a result, it emphasises the importance of monitoring pancreatic and hepatic function in individuals affected by COVID-19.

Weight Regain after Metabolic Surgery: Beyond the Surgical Failure.

Patients undergoing metabolic surgery have factors ranging from anatomo-surgical, endocrine metabolic, eating patterns and physical activity, mental health and psychological factors. Some of the latter can explain the possible pathophysiological neuroendocrine, metabolic, and adaptive mechanisms that cause the high prevalence of weight regain in postbariatric patients. Even metabolic surgery has proven to be effective in reducing excess weight in patients with obesity; some of them regain weight after this intervention. In this vein, several studies have been conducted to search factors and mechanisms involved in weight regain, to stablish strategies to manage this complication by combining metabolic surgery with either lifestyle changes, behavioral therapies, pharmacotherapy, endoscopic interventions, or finally, surgical revision. The aim of this revision is to describe certain aspects and mechanisms behind weight regain after metabolic surgery, along with preventive and therapeutic strategies for this complication.

Evaluación preoperatoria de la hemostasia en cirugía mayor electiva / Preoperative evaluation of hemostasis in elective major surgery

Resumen: Introducción: Las pruebas de coagulación carecen de valor para determinar el riesgo de sangrado perioperatorio. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, y transversal en 2,114 pacientes en la consulta de Anestesiología del Hospital Universitario «Dr. Celestino Hernández Robau¼, los resultados se evaluaron mediante estadística descriptiva. Resultados: El tiempo de coagulación y sangrado se realizó en 100% de los casos y el conteo de plaquetas en 93.99%, mientras que el tiempo de protrombina y tiempo de tromboplastina parcial activado se efectuó en 66.27 y 55.62% de los casos respectivamente. De 8.834 exámenes realizados se encontraron 49 alterados en 0.55%. Los pacientes con exámenes alterados fueron 33 en 1.56%, los enfermos en riesgo de sangrado por exámenes de coagulación fueron 30 en 1.42% y los pacientes en riesgo sin antecedentes de sangrados detectados por exámenes de coagulación fueron tres en 0.14%. Se reportó sangrado perioperatorio en 16 pacientes en 0.76%, siete pacientes con interrogatorio positivo y exámenes normales y nueve pacientes con interrogatorio negativo y exámenes normales. Conclusiones: La historia clínica y el examen físico del paciente son las mejores herramientas para predecir el riesgo de sangrado quirúrgico y los exámenes aislados de coagulación no constituyen un buen predictor del sangrado perioperatorio.

Abstract: Introduction: Coagulation tests are no value to determine the risk of perioperative bleeding. Material and methods: An observational descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 2,114 patients in the anesthesiology consultation of the University Hospital «Dr. Celestino Hernández Robau¼. Results: The clotting and bleeding time was performed in 100% of cases, the platels count in 93.99%. While the prothrombin time and activated partial tromboplastin time were performed in 66.27 and 55.62% respectively. Of 8,834 tests carried out, 49 were found to be altered for 0.55%. Patients with altered tests were for 1.56%, patients at risk of bleeding from coagulation tests were 30 for 1.42% and patients at risk with no history of bleeding detected by coagulation tests were three for 0.14%. Perioperative bleeding was reported in 16 patients for 0.76%, seven patients with positive questioning and normal tests and nine patients with negative questioning and normal tests. Conclusions: The patient's medical history and physical examination are the best tools to predict the risk of surgical bleeding and isolated coagulation tests do not constitute a good predictor of perioperative bleeding.

Manejo anestésico de un paciente con enfermedad de Behçet / Anesthetic management of a patient with Behçet´s Disease Sobre los autores:

RESUMEN Introducción: La enfermedad de Behçet es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica, recurrente, multisistémica, de etiología desconocida, caracterizada por úlceras orales y genitales recurrentes, inflamación ocular, lesiones cutáneas, artritis, afecciones neurológicas, pulmonares, gastrointestinales y vasculitis sistémica. Objetivo: Describir el manejo anestésico en un paciente portador de enfermedad de Behçet. Presentación del caso: Se reporta el caso de un paciente de 52 años de edad con antecedentes patológicos personales de enfermedad de Behçet que recibe anestesia general para exéresis de adenopatía cervical izquierda metastásica de un carcinoma primario oculto. Conclusiones: El mantenimiento del tratamiento con esteroides, el uso de nadroparina cálcica junto a otras medidas preventivas de la trombosis venosa profunda, el manejo cuidadoso de la vía aérea, la protección ocular y la articular, así como de los puntos de presión y la prevención de la patergia son elementos fundamentales en el manejo de estos pacientes.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Behçet's disease is a chronic, recurrent, multisystemic inflammatory disease of unknown etiology characterized by recurrent oral and genital ulcers, ocular inflammation, skin lesions, arthritis, neurological, pulmonary and gastrointestinal conditions, as well as systemic vasculitis. Objective: To describe the anesthetic management of a patient with Behçet's disease. Case presentation: The case is reported of a 52-year-old male patient with an individual history of Behçet's disease, who receives general anesthesia for removal of left cervical metastatic adenopathy from a hidden primary carcinoma. Conclusions: Keeping the steroid therapy, using calcium nadroparin, together with other measures for preventing deep vein thrombosis; careful airway management, eye and joint protection, as well as attention to pressure points and pathergy prevention are fundamental elements for the management of these patients.

Manejo anestésico de pacientes con trombocitemia esencial / Anesthetic management of a patient with essential trombocythemia

La trombocitemia esencial forma parte del grupo de neoplasias mieloproliferativas. Se caracteriza por síntomas microvasculares y vasomotores, recuento plaquetario superior a 450 x 109/l, proliferación megacariocítica con morfología grande y madura, ausencia de proliferación eritroide y granulocítica, demostración de JAK2V617F u otro marcador clonal y ausencia de evidencia de trombocitosis reactiva. Se reporta el manejo anestésico en una paciente donde las principales consideraciones están relacionadas con la prevención de eventos hemorrágicos y trombóticos. La suspensión de la aspirina, el mantenimiento del tratamiento con hidroxiurea, la preparación con ácido tranexámico, el uso pre y posoperatorio de fraxiparina, hidratación adecuada, uso de medias elásticas en miembros inferiores, deambulación precoz, buena hemostasia quirúrgica y disponibilidad de concentrados de plaquetas son los elementos fundamentales en la conducción anestésica de esta paciente(AU)

Essential thrombocythemia is part of the group of myeloproliferative neoplasms. It is characterized by microvascular and vasomotor symptoms, platelet count over 450x109/L, megakaryocytic proliferation with large and mature morphology, absence of erythroid and granulocytic proliferation, demonstration of JAK2V617F or other clonal marker, and absence of evidence of reactive thrombocytosis. Anesthetic management is reported in a patient, whose case's main considerations are related to the prevention of hemorrhagic and thrombotic events. Aspirin suspension, maintenance of hydroxyurea treatment, preparation with tranexamic acid, pre- and post-operative use of fraxiparin, adequate hydration, use of elastic stockings in lower limbs, early ambulation, good surgical hemostasis, as well as availability of platelet concentrates are the fundamental elements in the anesthetic management of this patient(AU)

Trombosis venosa profunda y trombofilia congénita / Deep-vein thrombosis and congenital thrombophilia

Introducción: La trombofilia es un desorden de la hemostasia congénito o adquirido que predispone al desarrollo de trombosis. Las trombofilias congénitas más frecuentes son las deficiencias de antitrombina III, proteína C y proteína S, el factor V Leiden, la mutación del gen de la protrombina (G20210A) y las mutaciones de la enzima metilentetrahidrofolato reductasa (MTHFR). Objetivo: Describir el manejo anestésico en un paciente portador de trombofilia congénita. Presentación del caso: Se reporta un paciente de 19 años de edad con antecedentes de historia familiar y personal de trombosis venosa profunda, tratamiento con doble antiagregación plaquetaria y asociación de tres mutaciones para trombofilia congénita, G20210A, A1298C MTHFR y C677T MTHFR que recibe anestesia espinal para una herniorrafia inguinal. Se mantiene tratamiento con aspirina, se suspende clopidogrel 7 días antes de la cirugía y durante ese tiempo se administra fraxiparina 0.6 Uds. subcutánea diarias hasta 12 h antes de la cirugía, se utiliza medias elásticas, deambulación precoz y reinicio de clopidogrel 24 h después de la cirugía, con evolución satisfactoria. Conclusiones: La tromboprofilaxis en pacientes portadores de trombofilia congénita es mandatoria, por eso resulta determinante la utilización de heparina de bajo peso molecular junto al resto de las medidas de prevención de la trombosis venosa profunda(AU)

Introduction: Thrombophilia is a congenital or acquired hemostasis disorder that predisposes to thrombosis development. The commonest congenital thrombophilias are deficiencies of antithrombin III, protein C and protein S, factor V Leiden, prothrombin gene mutation (G20210A), and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) mutations. Objective: To describe the anesthetic management in a patient with congenital thrombophilia. Case presentation: The case is reported of a 19-year-old patient with a family and personal history of deep-vein thrombosis, treatment with double antiplatelet therapy and association of three mutations for congenital thrombophilia (G20210A, A1298C MTHFR and C677T MTHFR), who receives spinal anesthesia for an inguinal herniorrhaphy. Aspirin treatment is maintained. Clopidogrel is suspended seven days before surgery. During this time, fraxiparin is administered subcutaneously in 0.6-mL units daily, up to twelve hours before surgery. Elastic stockings are used, early ambulation is allowed, and clopidogrel is restarted 24 hours after surgery, with satisfactory evolution. Conclusions: Thromboprophylaxis in patients with congenital thrombophilia is mandatory, a reason why the use of low-molecular-weight heparin, together with the rest of the prevention measures against deep-vein thrombosis, is decisive(AU)

Advanced Glycation End Products: New Clinical and Molecular Perspectives.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is considered one of the most massive epidemics of the twenty-first century due to its high mortality rates caused mainly due to its complications; therefore, the early identification of such complications becomes a race against time to establish a prompt diagnosis. The research of complications of DM over the years has allowed the development of numerous alternatives for diagnosis. Among these emerge the quantification of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) given their increased levels due to chronic hyperglycemia, while also being related to the induction of different stress-associated cellular responses and proinflammatory mechanisms involved in the progression of chronic complications of DM. Additionally, the investigation for more valuable and safe techniques has led to developing a newer, noninvasive, and effective tool, termed skin fluorescence (SAF). Hence, this study aimed to establish an update about the molecular mechanisms induced by AGEs during the evolution of chronic complications of DM and describe the newer measurement techniques available, highlighting SAF as a possible tool to measure the risk of developing DM chronic complications.