Follow-up with Telemedicine in Early Discharge for COPD Exacerbations: Randomized Clinical Trial (TELEMEDCOPD-Trial).

The results reported by different studies on telemonitoring in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been contradictory, without showing clear benefits to date. The objective of this study was to ascertain whether an early discharge and home hospitalization telehealth program for patients with COPD exacerbation is as effective as and more efficient than a traditional early discharge and home hospitalization program. A prospective experimental non-inferiority study, randomized into two groups (telemedicine/control) was conducted. The telemedicine group underwent monitoring and was required to transmit data on vital constants and ECGs twice per day, with a subsequent telephone call and 2 home visits by healthcare staff (intermediate and at discharge). The control group received daily visits. The main variable was time until first exacerbation. The secondary variables were: number of exacerbations; use of healthcare resources; satisfaction; quality of life; anxiety-depression; and therapeutic adherence, measured at one and 6 months of hospital discharge. A total of 116 patients were randomized (58 to each group) without significant differences in baseline characteristics or time until first exacerbation, i.e. median 48 days (pp. 25-75:23-120) in the control group, and 47 days (pp. 25-75:19-102) in the intervention group; p = 0.52). A significant decrease in the number of visits was observed in the intervention versus the control group, 3.8 ± 1 vs 5.1 ± 2(p = 0.001), without significant differences in the number of exacerbations. In conclusion follow-up via a telemedicine program in early discharge after hospitalization is as effective as conventional home follow up, being the cost of either strategy not significantly different.

A Study Protocol for Development and Validation of a Clinical Prediction Model for Frailty (ModulEn): a new European Commitment to Tackling Frailty.

There is a growing need to implement and evaluate the technological solutions that allow the early detection of age-related frailty and enable assessment of the predictive values of frailty components. The broad use of these solutions may ensure an efficient and sustainable response of health and social care systems to the challenges related to demographic aging. In this paper, we present the protocol of the ModulEn study that aims to develop and validate a predictive model for frailty. For this purpose, the sample composed by older adults aged 65-80 years and recruited from the community will be invited to use an electronic device ACM Kronowise® 2.0. This device allows proactive and continuous monitoring of circadian health, physical activity, and sleep and eating habits. It will be used during a period of seven to ten days. The participants will also be given the questionnaires evaluating the variables of interest, including frailty level, as well as their experience and satisfaction with the device use. Data provided from these two sources will be combined and the relevant associations will be identified. In our view, the implications of this study' findings for clinical practice include the possibility to develop and validate tools for timely prevention of frailty progress. In the long term, the ModulEn may contribute to the critical reduction of frailty burden in Europe.

Operación de Bascom para el tratamiento de la enfermedad pilonidal sacrococcígea abscedada: experiencia inicial / Bascom operation for the treatment of abscessed pilonidal sacrococcygeal disease: initial experience

Resumen Introducción: Una de las formas de presentación de la enfermedad pilonidal sacrococcígea (EPSC) es el absceso, para el que existen distintas alternativas de tratamiento. Objetivo: Presentar nuestra experiencia con la técnica de Bascom para el tratamiento de la EPSC abscedada. Material y Método: Serie prospectiva, consecutiva y no aleatoria. Incluye todos los pacientes mayores de 15 años que presentan un absceso o supuración masiva al momento de la cirugía. Resultados: La serie corresponde a 10 pacientes, 7 de género masculino. No se encuentran los factores de riesgo reconocidos por la literatura como riesgo de EPSC. Ocho pacientes mejoran completamente en un período máximo de 18 días y 2 presentan supuración persistente, por lo que se considera fracaso del tratamiento. Estos son sometidos a una segunda cirugía con otra técnica, con curación de la enfermedad. Conclusión: La técnica de Bascom es sencilla, segura y ofrece una curación de un 80% en un período corto de cicatrización.

Introduction: One of the form of presentation of the sacral coccygeal pilonidal disease is the abscess, for this cases there are various treatment alternatives. Objective: We present our experience with Bascom technique for the treatment of pilonidal abscess. Material and Method: Prospective, consecutive, non-randomized series. It includes all patients older than 15 years who have an abscess or mass discharge at the time of surgery. Results: The series consists of 10 patients, 7 males. They are not risk factors recognized in the literature as risk of pilonidal disease. Eight patients completely better within a maximum period of 18 days and two with persistent discharge by what is considered treatment failure. They were subjected to a second surgery treatment with another technique with good results. Conclusion: Bascom's technique is simple, safe and offers a 80% cure in a short period of healing.

Tratamiento quirúrgico de la colitis grave por Clostridium difficile / Surgical treatment of severe Clostridium difficile colitis

Introduction: Clostridium difficile infection is the most common healthcare associated infection (HCAI). In few severe cases it may need surgical treatment. Objectives: To show the results of a series treated by us. Materialand Methods: Retrospective descriptive series of patients treated for severeC. difficile colitis from 2010 to 2013. Results: The series corresponds to 6 patients in whom severe C. difficile colitis was demonstrated. All had significant co-morbidities or had undergone major surgical procedures prior to infection. All showed a leukocyte count of 15,000 and hadclinical or radiological evidence of colitis. Five patients were receiving specific treatment without success. The surgery performed was a total colectomy with ileostomy and closure of the rectal stump. The major morbidity was found in 4 patients with extended hospital stay for more than 15 days. Surgical mortality was two cases. Two patients were reconstituted and one of them had a second C. difficile infection in post operative with successful treatment. Conclusion: Colitis is a severe complication of C. difficileinfection. The most recommended surgery is still total colectomy withoutanastomoses. Surgical mortality remains high despite advances in intensive care so HCAI control is essential in preventing it.

Introducción: La infección por C. difficile es la más frecuente de las infecciones asociadas a la atención de salud (IAAS). En algunos casos muy graves puede ser necesario el tratamiento quirúrgico. Objetivos: Mostrar los resultados de la serie tratada por nuestro grupo. Material y Método: Serie retrospectiva descriptiva de los pacientes operados por colitis grave por C. difficile desde el 2010 al 2013. Resultados: La serie corresponde a 6 pacientes en los que se demostró la presencia de una colitis grave por C.difficile. Todos presentaban comorbilidades importantes o habían sido sometidos a procedimientos quirúrgicos mayores previos a la infección. Los estudios de laboratorio mostraban un recuento de leucocitos sobre 15.000 y evidencia clínicao radiológica de colitis en todos los casos. Cinco pacientes se encontrabanrecibiendo tratamiento específico sin éxito. La cirugía efectuada fue una colectomía total con ileostomía terminal y cierre del muñón rectal. La morbilidad mayor se encuentra en 4 casos con prolongación de la estadía hospitalaria por sobre los 15 días. La mortalidad quirúrgica es de dos casos. Dos pacientes ya fueron reconstituidos, uno de ellos presentó una segunda infección por C. difficile en el post operatorio, tratada exitosamente. Conclusión: La colitis es una complicación grave de la infección por C. difficile. La cirugía más aceptada continúa siendo la colectomía total sin anastomosis. La mortalidad quirúrgica continúa alta, pese a los adelantos en la terapia intensiva por lo que el control de las IAAS es fundamental en su prevención.

iCarer: AAL for the Informal Carers of the Elderly.

In the context of the long-term care for older adults, informal carers play a key role. Daily competing priorities or a care-skills deficit may lead them to stress, anxiety and/or depression. The iCarer project (AAL-2012-5-239) proposes the design and implementation of a cloud-inspired personalised and adaptive platform which will offer support to informal carers of older adults with cognitive impairment. By means of a holistic approach comprising technologies and services addressing the intelligent and interactive monitoring of activities, knowledge management for personalised guidance and orientation, virtual interaction, e-learning, care coordination facilities and social network services, iCarer aims to reduce the informal carer stress and to enhance the quality of care they provide, thus improving their quality of life. The iCarer platform will be evaluated through a multi-centre non-controlled study (4 months; 48 homes located in England and in Slovenia). Currently the iCarer project is completing the development work. The evaluation trial is expected to start in August 2015.

Intense foreshocks and a slow slip event preceded the 2014 Iquique Mw 8.1 earthquake.

The subduction zone in northern Chile is a well-identified seismic gap that last ruptured in 1877. The moment magnitude (Mw) 8.1 Iquique earthquake of 1 April 2014 broke a highly coupled portion of this gap. To understand the seismicity preceding this event, we studied the location and mechanisms of the foreshocks and computed Global Positioning System (GPS) time series at stations located on shore. Seismicity off the coast of Iquique started to increase in January 2014. After 16 March, several Mw > 6 events occurred near the low-coupled zone. These events migrated northward for ~50 kilometers until the 1 April earthquake occurred. On 16 March, on-shore continuous GPS stations detected a westward motion that we model as a slow slip event situated in the same area where the mainshock occurred.

Virulence Characterization of International Collections of the Wheat Stripe Rust Pathogen, Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici.

Wheat stripe rust (yellow rust [Yr]), caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, is an economically important disease of wheat worldwide. Virulence information on P. striiformis f. sp. tritici populations is important to implement effective disease control with resistant cultivars. In total, 235 P. striiformis f. sp. tritici isolates from Algeria, Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Hungary, Kenya, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Spain, Turkey, and Uzbekistan were tested on 20 single Yr-gene lines and the 20 wheat genotypes that are used to differentiate P. striiformis f. sp. tritici races in the United States. The 235 isolates were identified as 129 virulence patterns on the single-gene lines and 169 virulence patterns on the U.S. differentials. Virulences to YrA, Yr2, Yr6, Yr7, Yr8, Yr9, Yr17, Yr25, YrUkn, Yr28, Yr31, YrExp2, Lemhi (Yr21), Paha (YrPa1, YrPa2, YrPa3), Druchamp (Yr3a, YrD, YrDru), Produra (YrPr1, YrPr2), Stephens (Yr3a, YrS, YrSte), Lee (Yr7, Yr22, Yr23), Fielder (Yr6, Yr20), Tyee (YrTye), Tres (YrTr1, YrTr2), Express (YrExp1, YrExp2), Clement (Yr9, YrCle), and Compair (Yr8, Yr19) were detected in all countries. At least 80% of the isolates were virulent on YrA, Yr2, Yr6, Yr7, Yr8, Yr17, YrUkn, Yr31, YrExp2, Yr21, Stephens (Yr3a, YrS, YrSte), Lee (Yr7, Yr22, Yr23), and Fielder (Yr6, Yr20). Virulences to Yr1, Yr9, Yr25, Yr27, Yr28, Heines VII (Yr2, YrHVII), Paha (YrPa1, YrPa2, YrPa3), Druchamp (Yr3a, YrD, YrDru), Produra (YrPr1, YrPr2), Yamhill (Yr2, Yr4a, YrYam), Tyee (YrTye), Tres (YrTr1, YrTr2), Hyak (Yr17, YrTye), Express (YrExp1, YrExp2), Clement (Yr9, YrCle), and Compair (Yr8, Yr19) were moderately frequent (>20 to <80%). Virulence to Yr10, Yr24, Yr32, YrSP, and Moro (Yr10, YrMor) was low (≤20%). Virulence to Moro was absent in Algeria, Australia, Canada, Kenya, Russia, Spain, Turkey, and China, but 5% of the Chinese isolates were virulent to Yr10. None of the isolates from Algeria, Canada, China, Kenya, Russia, and Spain was virulent to Yr24; none of the isolates from Algeria, Australia, Canada, Nepal, Russia, and Spain was virulent to Yr32; none of the isolates from Australia, Canada, Chile, Hungary, Kenya, Kenya, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, and Spain was virulent to YrSP; and none of the isolates from any country was virulent to Yr5 and Yr15. Although the frequencies of virulence factors were different, most of the P. striiformis f. sp. tritici isolates from these countries shared common virulence factors. The virulences and their frequencies and distributions should be useful in breeding stripe-rust-resistant wheat cultivars and understanding the pathogen migration and evolution.

The 2010 Mw 8.8 Maule megathrust earthquake of Central Chile, monitored by GPS.

Large earthquakes produce crustal deformation that can be quantified by geodetic measurements, allowing for the determination of the slip distribution on the fault. We used data from Global Positioning System (GPS) networks in Central Chile to infer the static deformation and the kinematics of the 2010 moment magnitude (M(w)) 8.8 Maule megathrust earthquake. From elastic modeling, we found a total rupture length of ~500 kilometers where slip (up to 15 meters) concentrated on two main asperities situated on both sides of the epicenter. We found that rupture reached shallow depths, probably extending up to the trench. Resolvable afterslip occurred in regions of low coseismic slip. The low-frequency hypocenter is relocated 40 kilometers southwest of initial estimates. Rupture propagated bilaterally at about 3.1 kilometers per second, with possible but not fully resolved velocity variations.

The El Salvador earthquakes of january and february 2001 : Context, characteristics and implications for seismic risk

The small Central American republic of El Salvador has experienced, on average, one destructive earthquake per decade during the last hundred years. The latest events occurred on 13 January and 13 February 2001, with magnitudes Mw 7.7 and 6.6, respectively. The two events, which were of different tectonic origin, follow the patterns of the seismicity of the region although neither event has a known precedent in the earthquake catalogue in terms of size and location. The earthquakes caused damage to thousands of traditionally built houses and triggered hundreds of landslides, which were the main causes of fatalities. The earthquakes have clearly demonstrated trends of increasing seismic risk in El Salvador due to rapid population expansion in areas of high shaking and landslide hazard, exacerbated by deforestation and uncontrolled urbanisation. The institutional mechanisms required for the control of land use and building practice are very weak and present a major obstacle to risk mitigation.(AU)

Experiencia del manejo de potenciales donantes cadáver en una UCI polivalente / Experience in the management of cadaver donors in an intensive care unit

Estudiamos a los pacientes que ingresaron con diagnóstico de muerte encéfalica a nuestra unidad entre 9/95 y 12/99: 24 pacientes, 18 varones (75 por ciento) y 6 mujeres (25 por ciento), con una mediana de edad de 33,5 años. El equipo de procuración de órganos no estaba involucrado en las decisiones terapéuticas. El diagnóstico de muerte encefálica fue certificado por un neurólogo ajeno a la procuración ante la ausencia persistente de funciones cerebrales por una etiología bien definida, descartando hipotermia, intoxicación por drogas, encefalopatía metabólica y shock. Las causas de muerte cerebral fueron: accidentes en 14 (10 del tránsito), 5 violencia, 3 accidente cerebro-vascular (ACV) y 2 trauma de cráneo (TEC) por mecanismo ignorado. Se logró la donación en 14 pacientes (58,3 por ciento), ambos riñones en todos y sólo en la mitad, otros órganos. Todos necesitaron ventilación mecánica y reanimación con volumen, 22 drogas vasoactivas y 6 transfusiones. Complicaciones fueron: hipotensión en poliuria en 19, 22, trastornos electrolíticos en 12, hipotermia en 11, oliguria en 7 y sangrado en 1. Concluimos que el porcentaje de potenciales donantes (PD) en los que se concretó la donación es similar a lo descrito en la literatura y el 16,6 por ciento de rechazo por familiares resulta inferior a lo descrito. Consideramos que este alto grado de consentimiento está influenciado por un sistema de procuración organizado y un equipo experimentado; soporte de PD con daño neurológico severo es una actividad que consume tiempo y recursos en una UCI, los que deberían considerarse en los programas de trasplante, y el número total de trasplantes podría incrementarse con la procuración de múltiples órganos de un mismo donante

[Long-term efficacy of radiofrequency catheter ablation in atrial tachycardia]. / Eficacia a largo plazo de la ablación con radiofrecuencia en la taquicardia auricular.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Radiofrequency ablation has shown to be an effective treatment for supraventricular tachycardias including flutter and atrial tachycardia, however the clinical information available on atrial tachycardia is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immediate and long term effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation in patients with atrial tachycardia and to establish predictors of effectiveness and arrhythmia recurrence. METHODS: We analyzed a series of 126 procedures of atrial tachycardia ablation in 117 patients (69% women) with a mean age of 50 +/- 19 years. RESULTS: Ninety-one percent of the foci were located in the right atrium. A mean of 6 applications were necessary to achieve an efficacy of 74% during the first procedure with a total of 80%. The only predictor of ablation success was the number of foci being smaller in multifocal compared to unifocal (p < 0.01) whereas for recurrences a less premature electrogram at the application point (p = 0.02) was predictive of ablation success. Over a follow-up of 34 +/- 19 months 7.4% of patients had recurrent atrial tachycardia. The probability of recurrence at one year calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method was 12%. Seventy-one percent of the recurrences occurred during the first 3 months after ablation. CONCLUSIONS: Ablation is an effective, safe procedure for short and long term treatment of patients with atrial tachycardia. Effectiveness depends on the number of foci while the recurrence rate is related to the prematurity of atrial electrogram at the application point.

[Familial sick sinus syndrome associated to strabismus and persistent left superior vena cava]. / Enfermedad del nodo sinusal familiar asociada a estrabismo y vena cava superior izquierda persistente.

We report a family in which the mother and her three sons suffered sick sinus syndrome and strabismus. Two members had a persistent left superior vena cava with drainage into coronary sinus. The illness in all members of this family was oligosymptomatic, and well tolerated with mild symptoms like dizziness, fatigue and exercise dyspnea associated with nodal rhythm. Three of them, had episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. All patients remain asymptomatic after pacemaker implantation.

Casi muerte súbita recuperada tras fibrilación ventricular / Near sudden death recovered to ventricular fibrillation

El síndrome de bloqueo de rama derecha, elevación del segmento ST en las derivaciones V1 a V3 y muerte súbita es una nueva entidad (distinta de otros síndromes, como el síndrome del QT largo o la displasia ventricular derecha), que está determinada por anomalías genéticas que afectan al canal de sodio y se denomina síndrome de Brugada. El único tratamiento que podemos ofrecer a estos pacientes actualmente es un desfibrilador implantable

Consensos y controversias en reanimación cardiopulmonar / Consensus and controversies in cardiopulmonary resuscitation

La historia de la reanimación cardiopulmonar (RCP) moderna se remonta a 40 años. Se han hecho esfuerzos para hacerla rápidamente accesibles a las personas que la requieran, desarrollando pautas claras y programas de entrenamiento para difundir de modo práctico un cuerpo conceptual. En el último tiempo se ha estado haciendo una reflexión crítica sobre las evidencias científicas en que se basan estas recomendaciones. En ausencia de pautas nacionales de RCP avanzadas tratamos de recoger tanto la revisión científica como las opiniones de expertos en una reciente reunión internacional que recomendaron nuevas pautas. Se comentas cambios en la reanimación básica, como no palpar pulso ni realizar maniobras para cuerpo extraño, o reanimación sólo con compresiones torácicas por reanimadores inexpertos y aumento de la frecuencia de comprensiones. Se discuten propuestas en reanimación avanzada, como la incorporación del masaje toracoabdominal, vasopresina, amiodarona o la disminución del volumen de ventilación

[Arrhythmia recurrence in patients with an old myocardial infarct treated by implantable defibrillator: an analysis according to the initial clinical presentation]. / Recurrencia de la arritmia en pacientes con infarto de miocardio antiguo tratados con desfibrilador implantable: análisis según la presentación clínica inicial.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The importance of the clinical presentation in the frequency and type of recurrences of ventricular arrhythmias in patients that received an automatic implantable defibrillator is not well known. The purpose of this study was to analyze the frequency and type of recurrences in patients with an old myocardial infarction that received an automatic implantable defibrillator with electrogram recording. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed 100 patients classified in 3 groups according to their clinical presentation: Sustained Monomorphic Ventricular Tachycardia (VT Group n = 65), Cardiac Arrest (CA Group = 19), and Syncope (Syncope Group n = 16). There were no significant differences in the clinical variables among the different groups, nor in the inducibility of arrhythmia at the electrophysiologic study. In a follow-up 27 +/- 14 months, 54% of patients presented at last one episode of sustained ventricular arrhythmia. All recurrences except one were as sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (776 episodes). 81% of episodes of sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (630) were treated with antitachycardia pacing with an effectiveness of 89%. There were no differences in the probability of arrhythmic recurrence among groups but death probability was higher in the ventricular fibrillation group at 36 follow-up months (38% vs 7% and 12% in the sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia and syncope groups respectively, p = 0.0113). CONCLUSIONS: In the patients with an old myocardial infarction and malignant ventricular arrhythmias, most of recurrences are due to sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia independently of the clinical presentation. The antitachycardia pacing is not only effective in patients with documented sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia but also in those that are presented as cardiac arrest or syncope.

[Sudden death due to recuperated ventricular fibrillation: Brugada syndrome?]. / Muerte súbita por fibrilación ventricular recuperada: síndrome de Brugada?

We report a 47 years old male who was recuperated from a sudden death, and in whom the cardiological assessment showed a right bundle branch block and a fluctuating ST segment elevation V1 to V3. During the electrophysiological study, a polymorphic tachycardia and a ventricular fibrillation were induced. Procainamide administration enhanced ST segment alterations in right precordial leads, and isoproterenol normalized the EKG. All these disturbances are similar to the condition described by Brugada brothers. The patient was treated with an internal implantable defibrillator, without the use of antiarrhythmic drugs and is well after four months of follow up.

[Anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation: not yet settled]. / Tratamiento anticoagulante en fibrilación auricular: aún no está todo resuelto.

A great deal of interest has received atrial fibrillation, the most common arrhythmia in adults, due to its complications and difficult treatment its most dreaded complication is atrial thrombi formation with the subsequent risk of embolization. There are several reports defining risk factors for embolic complications and the usefulness of anticoagulants for their prevention. We review the state of the art of anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation not associated to rheumatic valvulopathy. We also give tools to assess embolic risk and to determine the anticoagulant choice for the different presentation forms of atrial fibrillation.