Medida tridimensional del área del anillo tricúspide. Un nuevo criterio en la selección de candidatos a anuloplastia / Three-dimensional tricuspid area. A new criterion to improve patient selection for annuloplasty in tricuspid regurgitation

Introducción y objetivos: El desarrollo tardío de insuficiencia tricúspide funcional tras cirugía valvular izquierda de origen reumático es un importante predictor de mal pronóstico. Este estudio investiga la utilidad y precisión diagnóstica del área tricúspide evaluada por ecocardiografía transtorácica tridimensional en comparación con el diámetro bidimensional (D2D) convencional para evaluar la dilatación significativa del anillo tricúspide, proporcionando puntos de corte que podrían utilizarse en la práctica clínica para mejorar la selección de pacientes para cirugía. Métodos: Se incluyeron prospectivamente 109 pacientes con valvulopatía reumática en ausencia de reemplazo valvular previo. La insuficiencia tricúspide se dividió en tres grupos: leve, moderado y grave. Se obtuvieron los puntos de corte óptimos del área tridimensional (A3D) y del D2D para la identificación de la dilatación significativa del anillo tricúspide y se compararon con los umbrales de las guías actuales. También se evaluaron los factores predictivos de la dilatación del A3D. Resultados: Se identificaron los puntos de corte óptimos, absolutos y ajustados por el área de superficie corporal (ASC), de ambos parámetros (A3D: 10,4 cm2, 6,5 cm2/m2, D2D: 35 mm, 21 mm/m2) siendo el parámetro A3D/ASC el que obtuvo el mejor rendimiento diagnóstico (ABC=0,83). El área tricúspide por ecocardiografía transtorácica tridimensional ayudó a reclasificar la indicación quirúrgica en el 14% de pacientes con insuficiencia tricúspide leve (IC95%, 1-15%; p=0,03) y en el 37% con insuficiencia tricúspide moderada (IC95%, 22-37%; p<0,0001), mientras que el A3D/ASC cambió los criterios de cirugía en los casos de insuficiencia tricúspide leve (17%, IC95%, 3-17%; p=0,01) en comparación con el D2D/ASC. En el análisis multivariable, los volúmenes de la aurícula derecha e izquierda y el diámetro del ventrículo derecho basal se correlacionaron independientemente con el A3D. Conclusiones: El umbral del D2D actual propuesto de 40 mm infraestima la dilatación del anillo tricúspide. Aunque 21 mm/m2 podría ser un criterio de selección razonable, la combinación con la evaluación del A3D mejora la selección de pacientes candidatos para cirugía

Introduction and objectives: Late functional tricuspid regurgitation after rheumatic left-sided valve surgery is an important predictor of poor prognosis. This study investigated the usefulness and accuracy of 3-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography tricuspid area compared with conventional 2-dimensional diameter (2DD) for assessing significant tricuspid annulus dilatation, providing cutoff values that could be used in clinical practice to improve patient selection for surgery. Methods: We prospectively included 109 patients with rheumatic heart disease in the absence of previous valve replacement. Tricuspid regurgitation was divided into 3 groups: mild, moderate, and severe. Optimal 3-dimensional area (3DA) and 2DD cutoff points for identification of significant tricuspid annulus dilatation were obtained and compared with current guideline thresholds. Predictive factors for 3DA dilatation were also assessed. Results: Optimal cutoff points for both absolute and adjusted to body surface area (BSA) tricuspid annulus dilatation were identified (3DA: 10.4 cm2, 6.5 cm2/m2; 2DD: 35 mm, 21 mm/m2); 3DA/BSA had the best diagnostic performance (AUC=0.83). Three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography tricuspid area helped to reclassify surgical indication in 14% of patients with mild tricuspid regurgitation (95%CI, 1%-15%; P=.03) and 37% with moderate tricuspid regurgitation (95%CI, 22%-37%; P<.0001), whereas 3DA/BSA changed surgery criteria in cases of mild tricuspid regurgitation (17%; 95%CI, 3%-17%; P=.01) compared with 2DD/BSA. On multivariable analysis, right and left atrial volumes and basal right ventricle diameter were independently correlated with 3DA. Conclusions: The current 40 mm threshold underestimates tricuspid annulus dilatation. Although 21 mm/m2 seems to be a reasonable criterion, the combination with 3DA assessment improves patient selection for surgery

Three-dimensional Tricuspid Area. A New Criterion to Improve Patient Selection for Annuloplasty in Tricuspid Regurgitation.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Late functional tricuspid regurgitation after rheumatic left-sided valve surgery is an important predictor of poor prognosis. This study investigated the usefulness and accuracy of 3-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography tricuspid area compared with conventional 2-dimensional diameter (2DD) for assessing significant tricuspid annulus dilatation, providing cutoff values that could be used in clinical practice to improve patient selection for surgery. METHODS: We prospectively included 109 patients with rheumatic heart disease in the absence of previous valve replacement. Tricuspid regurgitation was divided into 3 groups: mild, moderate, and severe. Optimal 3-dimensional area (3DA) and 2DD cutoff points for identification of significant tricuspid annulus dilatation were obtained and compared with current guideline thresholds. Predictive factors for 3DA dilatation were also assessed. RESULTS: Optimal cutoff points for both absolute and adjusted to body surface area (BSA) tricuspid annulus dilatation were identified (3DA: 10.4 cm2, 6.5 cm2/m2; 2DD: 35 mm, 21 mm/m2); 3DA/BSA had the best diagnostic performance (AUC=0.83). Three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography tricuspid area helped to reclassify surgical indication in 14% of patients with mild tricuspid regurgitation (95%CI, 1%-15%; P=.03) and 37% with moderate tricuspid regurgitation (95%CI, 22%-37%; P<.0001), whereas 3DA/BSA changed surgery criteria in cases of mild tricuspid regurgitation (17%; 95%CI, 3%-17%; P=.01) compared with 2DD/BSA. On multivariable analysis, right and left atrial volumes and basal right ventricle diameter were independently correlated with 3DA. CONCLUSIONS: The current 40 mm threshold underestimates tricuspid annulus dilatation. Although 21 mm/m2 seems to be a reasonable criterion, the combination with 3DA assessment improves patient selection for surgery.

Impacto de la puntuación de calcio en la concordancia entre la tomografía computarizada con multidetectores y la coronariografía invasiva / Impact of calcium score on agreement between multidetector computed tomography and invasive coronary angiography

Introducción y objetivos: Está demostrado que la tomografía computarizada con multidetectores (TCMD) es una alternativa factible a la coronariografía invasiva (CI). Sin embargo, se han indicado resultados contradictorios sobre el efecto de la puntuación de calcio (PC) coronario en la precisión diagnóstica de la TCMD. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la concordancia entre la TCMD y la CI y evaluar la influencia de la PC en ella. Métodos: Se incluyó a 266 pacientes consecutivos sometidos a evaluación por TCMD de 64 cortes y por CI. Se utilizó el software habitual para la PC mediante el método Agatston. Un observador clasificó cualitativamente y de manera enmascarada las estenosis como leve, moderada o grave, y se compararon con los resultados obtenidos por la CI, utilizada como método de referencia. Resultados: La media de edad de los pacientes era 65,4 ± 11,2 años, y 188 (70,3%) eran varones. Se evaluó cualitativamente y se cuantificó por TCMD un total de 484 segmentos con estenosis coronaria al menos leve. Las mediciones no invasivas concordaban con la CI en 402 estenosis (el 83,05%; kappa = 0,684), sin diferencias significativas entre vasos y sin una influencia estadística significativa de la PC en la concordancia (OR = 0,93; IC95%, 0,76-1,09; p = 0,21). La TCMD tuvo sensibilidad, especificidad, valor predictivo positivo y valor predictivo negativo altos en los análisis por segmento, por vaso y por paciente. Conclusiones: La coronariografía no invasiva mediante TCMD mostró buena concordancia con la CI en la cuantificación cualitativa de las estenosis coronarias, y la PC no tuvo un impacto significativo en esa concordancia (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) has been demonstrated as a feasible alternative to invasive coronary angiography (ICA). However, contradictory results have been reported regarding the effect of coronary artery calcium score (CS) on the diagnostic accuracy of MDCT. Our aim was to assess the agreement of MDCT and ICA and to evaluate the influence of CS on this agreement. Methods: We enrolled 266 consecutive patients who underwent evaluation with 64-slice MDCT and ICA. Standard CS software tools were used to calculate the Agatston score. Stenosis was qualitatively classified as mild, moderate, or severe by 1 blinded observer and the results were compared with those of ICA, which was used as the gold standard. Results: The mean age of the patients was 65.4 11.2 years, and 188 patients (70.3%) were men. A total of 484 segments with coronary stenosis mild were qualitatively evaluated and quantified with MDCT. Noninvasive measurements were concordant with ICA in 402 stenoses (83.05%; Kappa, 0.684), with no significant differences between vessels and with no statistically significant influence of CS on this agreement (OR, 0.93; 95%CI, 0.76-1.09; P = .21). Multidetector computed tomography had high sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value on a per-segment, per-vessel, and per-patient basis. Conclusions: Non-ICA using MDCT showed good agreement with ICA in the qualitative quantification coronary stenosis and CS had no significant impact on this agreement (AU)

Impact of Calcium Score on Agreement Between Multidetector Computed Tomography and Invasive Coronary Angiography.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) has been demonstrated as a feasible alternative to invasive coronary angiography (ICA). However, contradictory results have been reported regarding the effect of coronary artery calcium score (CS) on the diagnostic accuracy of MDCT. Our aim was to assess the agreement of MDCT and ICA and to evaluate the influence of CS on this agreement. METHODS: We enrolled 266 consecutive patients who underwent evaluation with 64-slice MDCT and ICA. Standard CS software tools were used to calculate the Agatston score. Stenosis was qualitatively classified as mild, moderate, or severe by 1 blinded observer and the results were compared with those of ICA, which was used as the gold standard. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 65.4 ± 11.2 years, and 188 patients (70.3%) were men. A total of 484 segments with coronary stenosis ≥ mild were qualitatively evaluated and quantified with MDCT. Noninvasive measurements were concordant with ICA in 402 stenoses (83.05%; Kappa, 0.684), with no significant differences between vessels and with no statistically significant influence of CS on this agreement (OR, 0.93; 95%CI, 0.76-1.09; P = .21). Multidetector computed tomography had high sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value on a per-segment, per-vessel, and per-patient basis. CONCLUSIONS: Non-ICA using MDCT showed good agreement with ICA in the qualitative quantification coronary stenosis and CS had no significant impact on this agreement.

Antibiotic-loaded Bone Cement as Prophylaxis in Total Joint Replacement.

One of its most serious complications associated with arthroplasty is the development of infections. Although its prevalence is only between 0.5% and 3%, in some cases it can lead to death. Therefore, an important challenge in joint surgery is the prevention of infections when an arthroplasty is performed. The use of antibiotic-loaded cements could be a suitable tool due to numerous advantages. The main advantage of the use of antibiotic loading into bone cement derives directly from antibiotic release in the effect site, allowing achievement of high concentrations at the site of action, and minimal or no systemic toxicity. This route of administration was first described by Buchholz and Engelbrecht. In the case of infection treatment, this is an established method and its good results have been confirmed. However, its role in infection prevention, and, therefore, the use of these systems in clinical practice, has proved controversial because of the uncertainty about the development of possible antibiotic resistance after prolonged exposure time, their effectiveness, the cost of the systems, toxicity and loosening of mechanical properties. This review discusses all these topics, focusing on effectiveness and safety, antibiotic decisions, cement type, mixing method, release kinetics and future perspectives. The final objective is to provide the orthopaedic surgeons the right information in their clinical practice based on current evidence.

Support System to Improve Reading Activity in Parkinson's Disease and Essential Tremor Patients.

The use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve the quality of life of people with chronic and degenerative diseases is a topic receiving much attention nowadays. We can observe that new technologies have driven numerous scientific projects in e-Health, encompassing Smart and Mobile Health, in order to address all the matters related to data processing and health. Our work focuses on helping to improve the quality of life of people with Parkinson's Disease (PD) and Essential Tremor (ET) by means of a low-cost platform that enables them to read books in an easy manner. Our system is composed of two robotic arms and a graphical interface developed for Android platforms. After several tests, our proposal has achieved a 96.5% accuracy for A4 80 gr non-glossy paper. Moreover, our system has outperformed the state-of-the-art platforms considering different types of paper and inclined surfaces. The feedback from ET and PD patients was collected at "La Princesa" University Hospital in Madrid and was used to study the user experience. Several features such as ease of use, speed, correct behavior or confidence were measured via patient feedback, and a high level of satisfaction was awarded to most of them. According to the patients, our system is a promising tool for facilitating the activity of reading.

Tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion inaccuracy to assess right ventricular function in patients with previous tricuspid annulopasty.

OBJETIVES: The clinical and prognostic usefulness of tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) is well established. However, the ability of TAPSE to assess right ventricular (RV) function in patients with previous tricuspid valve annulopasty is controversial. This study examined the TAPSE suitability in patients with previous tricuspid valve annuloplasty using right ventricular fractional area change (RVFAC) as reference method. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 53 patients who underwent tricuspid valve annuloplasty at our hospital between 2013 and 2016. TAPSE and RVFAC were obtained in preoperative and postoperative periods using standard methodology. RESULTS: Mean age was 68±12years and 34 patients (64.1%) were women. TAPSE decreased significantly after surgery in comparison with pre-surgical values (17±4.2 Vs 12.9±4.1mm, p<0.001). On the contrary, RVFAC did not change significantly after surgery (37±9.2 Vs 36.2.9, p=0.25). The correlation between RVFAC and TAPSE was better in the preoperative (r=0.63, p<0.0001) than in the postoperative period (r=0.38, P=0.005). Good intra- and interobserver agreement for TAPSE and RVFAC was obtained, with intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.97 and 0.92 for TAPSE; and 0.90 and 0.85 for RVFAC, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that TAPSE is not suitable after tricuspid valve annuloplasty and it leads to an underestimation of RV systolic function. It seems to be appropriate to rely on echocardiographic parameters of global RV function such as RVFAC in this context.

Nódulos pulmonares como presentación de aneurisma de arteria pulmonar / Pulmonary nodules as presentation of pulmonary artery aneurysm

No disponible

Evaluación de la bioactividad de ciprofloxacino y vancomicina incorporados en cementos óseos poliacrílicos / Evaluation of ciprofloxacin and vancomycin bioactivity loaded in bone cements

La inclusión de antibióticos en el cemento óseo destinado a la fijación mecánica de las prótesis constituye un sistema de liberación local de antibiótico que permite minimizar la prevalencia y la gravedad de las reacciones adversas que pueden desencadenar los fármacos cuando éstos se administran por vía sistémica. El objetivo del trabajo es estudiar el mecanismo y cinética de liberación in vitro de ciprofloxacino y vancomicina incorporados en diferentes cementos óseos comerciales y evaluar la bioactividad mediante un ejercicio de simulación farmacocinética. Se prepararon mezclas de los cementos de estudio con ciprofloxacino clorhidrato y vancomicina (40:0,5:0,5). Los estudios de liberación se realizaron en agitación continua en solución salina de tampón fosfatos, pH = 7,4, durante dos meses a 37ºC. El análisis estadístico de las cantidades de antibiótico liberadas acumuladas y las velocidades de elución se realizó mediante ANOVA. Con el fin estudiar la bioactividad, se realizó una simulación de Monte Carlo. La cantidad total liberada de ciprofloxacino en un periodo de 8 semanas fue de 0,29 ± 0,06 mg desde los cementos Palacos(R), 0,44 ± 0,06mg LimaCMT1(R) y 0,18 ± 0,04 mg Simplex(R). La cantidad total de vancomicina liberada en 24 horas fue de 0,34 ± 0,17mg desde el cemento Palacos(R), 0,68 ± 0,16 mg LimaCMT1(R) y 0,17 ± 0,02 mg Simplex(R). Transcurrido este tiempo la liberación cesó. El estudio de simulación, muestra que durante las primeras 72 horas, la cobertura antibiótica dependería tanto del cemento elegido como de la sensibilidad del microorganismo y el tiempo postquirúrgico. En tiempos posteriores, es de prever que la bioactividad local aumente

Antibiotic loaded bone cement used in prosthesis fixing, is a local release form that minimizes the prevalence and the complications that the antibiotics would unleash when administered intravenously. The aim of this work is to study in vitro release kinetics of ciprofloxacin and vancomycin loaded in different commercial cements and evaluate the bioactivity through a simulation exercise pharmacokinetics. Samples were prepared with commercial bone cement and ciprofloxacin and vancomycin hydrochloride (40:0,5:0,5). Release study were carried out under stirring in phosphate buffer, pH=7,4, for two months at 37ºC. The antibiotic amount and elution rate, were compared using ANOVA. In order to study the bioactivity, Monte Carlo simulation was performed. The ciprofloxacin released from samples for 8 weeks was 0.29 ± 0.06 mg from the Palacos(R) cements, 0.44 ± 0.06 mg from LimaCMT1® and 0.18 ± 0.04 mg from Simplex(R). The vancomycin released for 24 hours was 0.34 ± 0.17 mg from Palacos(R) cement, 0.68 ± 0.16 mg from LimaCMT1(R) and 0.17 ± 0.02 mg from Simplex(R). After this time the release stopped. The simulation study shows that during the first 72 hours, the antibiotic coverage would depends on the bone cement, the sensitivity of the microorganism and postoperative day. At subsequence times, it is expected that local bioactivity increases

Giant and thrombosed left ventricular aneurysm.

Left ventricular aneurysms are a frequent complication of acute extensive myocardial infarction and are most commonly located at the ventricular apex. A timely diagnosis is vital due to the serious complications that can occur, including heart failure, thromboembolism, or tachyarrhythmias. We report the case of a 78-year-old male with history of previous anterior myocardial infarction and currently under evaluation by chronic heart failure. Transthoracic echocardiogram revealed a huge thrombosed and calcified anteroapical left ventricular aneurysm. Coronary angiography demonstrated that the left anterior descending artery was chronically occluded, and revealed a big and spherical mass with calcified borders in the left hemithorax. Left ventriculogram confirmed that this spherical mass was a giant calcified left ventricular aneurysm, causing very severe left ventricular systolic dysfunction. The patient underwent cardioverter-defibrillator implantation for primary prevention.

Fractura atípica en paciente en tratamiento prolongado con Ranelato de Estroncio: descripción de un caso / Atypical fracture in a patient on long term strontium ranelate therapy: description of a case

Objetivo: informar y analizar un caso de fractura atípica con posible relación al consumo prolongado de Ranelato de Estroncio (RE). Caso clínico: paciente mujer de 72 años que tras caída de su propia altura sufrió una fractura atípica de diáfisis femoral, dentro de sus antecedentes estaba osteoporosis en tratamiento con RE desde hacía dos años; en los tres meses previos a la fractura refirió dolor en diáfisis femoral derecha. Resultados: hemos detectado un caso con características clínico-radiológicas de fractura atípica en una paciente sin ningún otro antecedente concomitante con estas que la toma de RE. Conclusiones: Hasta donde sabemos, este es el primer caso reportado de fractura atípica con relación plausible con el uso prologado de RE y a pesar que su uso ha sido restringido recientemente, sus efectos sobre la densidad ósea se mantienen hasta por 10 años por lo cual es esperable que el número de casos se incremente. Es recomendable realizar estudios radiológicos en pacientes que refieran aparición de dolor agudo o insidioso en muslo que hayan estado sometidos a tratamiento prolongado con RE

Objectives: Report and analyze a case of atypical fracture possibly related to prolonged use of strontium ranelate (RE). Clinical case: 72 year old female patient who after falling from his own height suffered an atypical femoral shaft fracture within their clinical history was osteoporosis treated with SR for two years; in the three months prior to the fracture referred pain in the right femoral shaft. Results: We detected a case with clinical and radiological features of atypical fracture in a patient with no history related to these only prolonged consumption of strontium ranelate. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first case of atypical fracture possibly related to the prolonged use of SR, and although its use has recently been restricted, its effects on bone density are maintained for up to 10 years, which is expected that the number of cases increases. Is advisable to perform imaging studies in patients reporting acute or insidious onset of pain in the thigh which have been subjected to prolonged treatment with RE

Proximal flow convergence method by three-dimensional color Doppler echocardiography for mitral valve area assessment in rheumatic mitral stenosis.

BACKGROUND: The two-dimensional (2D) proximal isovelocity surface area (PISA) method has important technical limitations for mitral valve orifice area (MVA) assessment in mitral stenosis (MS), mainly the geometric assumptions of PISA shape and the requirement of an angle correction factor. Single-beat real-time three-dimensional (3D) color Doppler imaging allows the direct measurement of PISA without geometric assumptions or the requirement of an angle correction factor. The aim of this study was to validate this method in patients with rheumatic MS. METHODS: Sixty-three consecutive patients with rheumatic MS were included. MVA was assessed using the transthoracic 2D and 3D PISA methods. Planimetry of MVA (2D and 3D) and the pressure half-time method were used as reference methods. RESULTS: The 3D PISA method had better correlations with the reference methods (with 2D planimetry, r = 0.85, P < .001; with 3D planimetry, r = 0.89, P < .001; and with pressure half-time, r = 0.85, P < .001) than the conventional 2D PISA method (with 2D planimetry, r = 0.63, P < .001; with 3D planimetry, r = 0.66, P < .001; and with pressure half-time, r = 0.68, P < .001). In addition, a consistent significant underestimation of MVA using the conventional 2D PISA method was observed. A high percentage (30%) of patients with nonsevere MS by 3D planimetry were misclassified by the 2D PISA method as having severe MS (effective regurgitant orifice area < 1 cm(2)). In contrast, the 3D PISA method had 94% agreement with 3D planimetry. Good intra- and interobserver agreement for 3D PISA measurements were observed, with intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.95 and 0.90, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: MVA assessment using PISA by single-beat real-time 3D color Doppler echocardiography is feasible in the clinical setting and more accurate than the conventional 2D PISA method.