Optical diagnosis in still images of colorectal polyps: comparison between expert endoscopists and PolyDeep, a Computer-Aided Diagnosis system.

Background: PolyDeep is a computer-aided detection and classification (CADe/x) system trained to detect and classify polyps. During colonoscopy, CADe/x systems help endoscopists to predict the histology of colonic lesions. Objective: To compare the diagnostic performance of PolyDeep and expert endoscopists for the optical diagnosis of colorectal polyps on still images. Methods: PolyDeep Image Classification (PIC) is an in vitro diagnostic test study. The PIC database contains NBI images of 491 colorectal polyps with histological diagnosis. We evaluated the diagnostic performance of PolyDeep and four expert endoscopists for neoplasia (adenoma, sessile serrated lesion, traditional serrated adenoma) and adenoma characterization and compared them with the McNemar test. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to assess the overall discriminatory ability, comparing the area under the curve of endoscopists and PolyDeep with the chi- square homogeneity areas test. Results: The diagnostic performance of the endoscopists and PolyDeep in the characterization of neoplasia is similar in terms of sensitivity (PolyDeep: 89.05%; E1: 91.23%, p=0.5; E2: 96.11%, p<0.001; E3: 86.65%, p=0.3; E4: 91.26% p=0.3) and specificity (PolyDeep: 35.53%; E1: 33.80%, p=0.8; E2: 34.72%, p=1; E3: 39.24%, p=0.8; E4: 46.84%, p=0.2). The overall discriminative ability also showed no statistically significant differences (PolyDeep: 0.623; E1: 0.625, p=0.8; E2: 0.654, p=0.2; E3: 0.629, p=0.9; E4: 0.690, p=0.09). In the optical diagnosis of adenomatous polyps, we found that PolyDeep had a significantly higher sensitivity and a significantly lower specificity. The overall discriminative ability of adenomatous lesions by expert endoscopists is significantly higher than PolyDeep (PolyDeep: 0.582; E1: 0.685, p < 0.001; E2: 0.677, p < 0.0001; E3: 0.658, p < 0.01; E4: 0.694, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: PolyDeep and endoscopists have similar diagnostic performance in the optical diagnosis of neoplastic lesions. However, endoscopists have a better global discriminatory ability than PolyDeep in the optical diagnosis of adenomatous polyps.

Macrophages enhance contractile force in iPSC-derived human engineered cardiac tissue.

Resident cardiac macrophages are critical mediators of cardiac function. Despite their known importance to cardiac electrophysiology and tissue maintenance, there are currently no stem-cell-derived models of human engineered cardiac tissues (hECTs) that include resident macrophages. In this study, we made an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived hECT model with a resident population of macrophages (iM0) to better recapitulate the native myocardium and characterized their impact on tissue function. Macrophage retention within the hECTs was confirmed via immunofluorescence after 28 days of cultivation. The inclusion of iM0s significantly impacted hECT function, increasing contractile force production. A potential mechanism underlying these changes was revealed by the interrogation of calcium signaling, which demonstrated the modulation of ß-adrenergic signaling in +iM0 hECTs. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that macrophages significantly enhance cardiac function in iPSC-derived hECT models, emphasizing the need to further explore their contributions not only in healthy hECT models but also in the contexts of disease and injury.

Evaluation of the effectiveness and safety of single-operator cholangiopancreatoscopy with the SpyGlass™ system / Evaluación de la eficacia y seguridad de la colangiopancreatoscopia de un solo operador con el sistema SpyGlass®

Background and study aims The single-operator cholangiopancreatoscopy (SOCP) with the SpyGlass™ system is a endoscopy technique whose use has grown exponentially in recent years. The aims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SOCP with SpyGlass™ and determine the factors related to the onset of adverse events (AEs). Patients and methods Retrospective study at a single tertiary institution with inclusion of all consecutive patients undergoing SOCP with SpyGlass™ from February-2009 to December-2021. No exclusion criteria were considered. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed. The factors associated with the existence of AE were analyzed using Chi-square and Student's t-test. Results A total of 95 cases were included. The most common indications were biliary strictures (BS) evaluation (66.3%) or treatment of difficult common bile duct stones (27.4%). Technical and clinical success was attained in 98.9%. Single-session stone clearance was obtained in 84%. The AE rate was 7.4%. To detect malignancy in BS, optical diagnosis presents a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 91.2%, respectively; while histology results were 36.4% and 100% respectively. A previous endoscopic sphincterotomy was associated with a lower rate of AEs (2.4% vs 41.7%; p < 0.001). Conclusions SOCP with SpyGlass™ is a safe and effective technique to diagnose and treat pancreatobiliary pathology. The presence of sphincterotomy performed prior to the procedure could improve the technique's safety (AU)

Antecedentes y objetivos del estudio La colangiopancreatoscopia de un solo operador (SOCP) con el sistema SpyGlass® es una técnica endoscópica cuyo uso ha crecido exponencialmente durante los últimos años. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron evaluar la eficacia y seguridad de la SOPC con SpyGlass® y determinar los factores relacionados con la aparición de eventos adversos (EA). Pacientes y métodos Estudio retrospectivo realizado en un único centro terciario, con inclusión consecutiva de todos los pacientes sometidos a SOCP con SpyGlass® desde febrero de 2009 hasta diciembre de 2021. No hubo criterios de exclusión. Se realizó un análisis estadístico descriptivo. Los factores asociados a la aparición de EA se analizaron mediante χ2 y la prueba t de Student. Resultados Se incluyeron un total de 95 casos. Las indicaciones más frecuentes fueron la evaluación de estenosis biliares (EB) (66,3%) o el tratamiento de coledocolitiasis difícil (27,4%). El éxito técnico y clínico se logró en 98,9%. La extracción de todas las litiasis en una sola sesión se obtuvo en 84%. La tasa de EA fue de 7,4%. Para la detección de malignidad en EB, el diagnóstico óptico presenta una sensibilidad y especificidad de 100% y 91,2%, respectivamente; mientras que los resultados de la histología fueron 36,4 y 100%, respectivamente. La esfinterotomía endoscópica previa se asocia con una menor tasa de EA (2,4 vs. 41,7%; p < 0,001). Conclusiones La SOCP con SpyGlass® es una técnica segura y eficaz para diagnosticar y tratar la patología biliopancreática. La presencia de esfinterotomía previa al procedimiento podría mejorar la seguridad de la técnica (AU)

Evaluation of the effectiveness and safety of single-operator cholangiopancreatoscopy with the SpyGlass™ system.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The single-operator cholangiopancreatoscopy (SOCP) with the SpyGlass™ system is a endoscopy technique whose use has grown exponentially in recent years. The aims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SOCP with SpyGlass™ and determine the factors related to the onset of adverse events (AEs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study at a single tertiary institution with inclusion of all consecutive patients undergoing SOCP with SpyGlass™ from February-2009 to December-2021. No exclusion criteria were considered. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed. The factors associated with the existence of AE were analyzed using Chi-square and Student's t-test. RESULTS: A total of 95 cases were included. The most common indications were biliary strictures (BS) evaluation (66.3%) or treatment of difficult common bile duct stones (27.4%). Technical and clinical success was attained in 98.9%. Single-session stone clearance was obtained in 84%. The AE rate was 7.4%. To detect malignancy in BS, optical diagnosis presents a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 91.2%, respectively; while histology results were 36.4% and 100% respectively. A previous endoscopic sphincterotomy was associated with a lower rate of AEs (2.4% vs 41.7%; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: SOCP with SpyGlass™ is a safe and effective technique to diagnose and treat pancreatobiliary pathology. The presence of sphincterotomy performed prior to the procedure could improve the technique's safety.

Seudotumor pulmonar inflamatorio: presentación de caso / Inflammatory pulmonary pseudo tumor: Presentation of a case

El seudotumor inflamatorio es un proceso no neoplásico poco frecuente, caracterizado por un crecimiento irregular de células inflamatorias. Puede originarse en cualquier lugar del organismo y, en la mayoría de los casos, presenta un asentamiento local único y de características benignas. Se presentó el caso de un varón de 51 años, en el que se manifestó el seudotumor inflamatorio de forma nodular en el pulmón derecho, con evolución a un empiema pleural(AU)

The inflammatory pseudo tumor is a few frequent non neoplastic process, characterized by an irregular increase of inflammatory cells. It can be originated in any place of the organism, and in most of the cases it has only one local settlement with benign characteristics. We presented the case of a male patient, aged 51 years who had the inflammatory pseudo tumor of nodular form in the right lung, with evolution to a pleural empyema(AU)

Ictus hemorrágico en los servicios clínicos del hospital José R López Tabrane: primer cuatrimestre del 2012 / Hemorrhagic ictus at the clinical services of the hospital José R. López Tabrane: First quarter of 2012

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo del seguimiento a 14 pacientes que ingresaron con el diagnóstico clínico y radiológico de enfermedad cerebrovascular hemorrágica en los servicios clínicos del hospital José Ramón López Tabrane de Matanzas, en el periodo de enero a abril del 2012. Se observa que el grupo de 66–75 años predominó con 6 casos para un 42,8 por ciento, siendo el sexo masculino el más afectado con 8 pacientes para un 57,1 por ciento. Se apreció una estrecha relación entre escala de Glasgow, evolución clínica y estado al egreso. Se observó con escala Glasgow 15/15 solo 1 paciente vivo, para un 7,1 por ciento; con escala de 9-14/15 hubo 9 pacientes para un 64,2 por ciento y dentro de estos 4 fallecidos para una letalidad de 44,4 por ciento, con Glasgow de menos de 8/15 se presentaron 4 pacientes que todos fallecieron para una letalidad del 100 por ciento. Se comprueba mediante estudios de neuroimagen que el 24,1 por ciento son hemorragias e infarto sin efecto de masa, el 57,1 por ciento son hemorragias con efecto de masa, el 14,2 por ciento son hemorragias subaracnoideas y el 7,1 por ciento corresponde a la hemorragia intraventricular. El 100 por ciento de los pacientes recibieron tratamiento convencional, la alimentación precoz se utilizó en 10 pacientes para un 71,4 por ciento. La estadía hospitalaria se comportó entre 2 y 15 días. Se muestra la presencia de factores de riesgo en los pacientes estudiados. Se concluye que la escala de Glasgow permite establecer un pronóstico de morbimortalidad de los pacientes que ingresan con enfermedad cerebrovascular hemorrágica(AU)

We carried out a descriptive study of the follow up of 14 patients who entered the clinical services of the hospital José R. López Tabrane, of Matanzas, with the radiological and clinical diagnosis of hemorrhagic cerebral vascular disease, in the period form January to April 2012. We observed that there was a predominance of the 66-75-years-old age group with 6 cases for 42,8 percent, being the male genre the most affected with 6 patients for 57,1 percent. We found a tight relation among Glasgow scale, clinical evolution and health status at discharge. It was observed only one alive patient, 7,1 percent, with Glasgow scale 15/15; with Glasgow scale value 9-14/15 there were 9 patients for 64,2 percent, among them 4 passed away for 44,4 percent lethality; with Glasgow scale of less than 8/15 there were 4 patients; all of them died for 100 percent lethality. Through neuro-imaging studies we verified that 34,1 percent of the cases are hemorrhages and infarct without mass effect, 57,1 percent are hemorrhages with mass effect, 14,2 percent are sub-arachnoid hemorrhages, and 7,1 percent are intra-ventricular hemorrhages. 100 percent of the patients received conventional treatment, precocious feeding was used in 10 patients for 71,4. Hospital staying ranged between 2 and 15 days. It was showed the presence of risk factors in the studied patients. We arrived to the conclusion that the Glasgow scale allows to establish a morbimortality prognosis of the patients entering with hemorrhagic cerebral vascular disease(AU)

Ictus hemorrágico en los servicios clínicos del hospital José R López Tabrane: primer cuatrimestre del 2012 / Hemorrhagic ictus at the clinical services of the hospital José R. López Tabrane: First quarter of 2012

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo del seguimiento a 14 pacientes que ingresaron con el diagnóstico clínico y radiológico de enfermedad cerebrovascular hemorrágica en los servicios clínicos del hospital José Ramón López Tabrane de Matanzas, en el periodo de enero a abril del 2012. Se observa que el grupo de 66–75 años predominó con 6 casos para un 42,8 por ciento, siendo el sexo masculino el más afectado con 8 pacientes para un 57,1 por ciento. Se apreció una estrecha relación entre escala de Glasgow, evolución clínica y estado al egreso. Se observó con escala Glasgow 15/15 solo 1 paciente vivo, para un 7,1 por ciento; con escala de 9-14/15 hubo 9 pacientes para un 64,2 por ciento y dentro de estos 4 fallecidos para una letalidad de 44,4 por ciento, con Glasgow de menos de 8/15 se presentaron 4 pacientes que todos fallecieron para una letalidad del 100 por ciento. Se comprueba mediante estudios de neuroimagen que el 24,1 por ciento son hemorragias e infarto sin efecto de masa, el 57,1 por ciento son hemorragias con efecto de masa, el 14,2 por ciento son hemorragias subaracnoideas y el 7,1 por ciento corresponde a la hemorragia intraventricular. El 100 por ciento de los pacientes recibieron tratamiento convencional, la alimentación precoz se utilizó en 10 pacientes para un 71,4 por ciento. La estadía hospitalaria se comportó entre 2 y 15 días. Se muestra la presencia de factores de riesgo en los pacientes estudiados. Se concluye que la escala de Glasgow permite establecer un pronóstico de morbimortalidad de los pacientes que ingresan con enfermedad cerebrovascular hemorrágica.

We carried out a descriptive study of the follow up of 14 patients who entered the clinical services of the hospital José R. López Tabrane, of Matanzas, with the radiological and clinical diagnosis of hemorrhagic cerebral vascular disease, in the period form January to April 2012. We observed that there was a predominance of the 66-75-years-old age group with 6 cases for 42,8 percent, being the male genre the most affected with 6 patients for 57,1 percent. We found a tight relation among Glasgow scale, clinical evolution and health status at discharge. It was observed only one alive patient, 7,1 percent, with Glasgow scale 15/15; with Glasgow scale value 9-14/15 there were 9 patients for 64,2 percent, among them 4 passed away for 44,4 percent lethality; with Glasgow scale of less than 8/15 there were 4 patients; all of them died for 100 percent lethality. Through neuro-imaging studies we verified that 34,1 percent of the cases are hemorrhages and infarct without mass effect, 57,1 percent are hemorrhages with mass effect, 14,2 percent are sub-arachnoid hemorrhages, and 7,1 percent are intra-ventricular hemorrhages. 100 percent of the patients received conventional treatment, precocious feeding was used in 10 patients for 71,4. Hospital staying ranged between 2 and 15 days. It was showed the presence of risk factors in the studied patients. We arrived to the conclusion that the Glasgow scale allows to establish a morbimortality prognosis of the patients entering with hemorrhagic cerebral vascular disease.

Seudotumor pulmonar inflamatorio. Presentación de caso / Inflammatory pulmonary pseudo tumor. Presentation of a case

El seudotumor inflamatorio es un proceso no neoplásico poco frecuente, caracterizado por un crecimiento irregular de células inflamatorias. Puede originarse en cualquier lugar del organismo y, en la mayoría de los casos, presenta un asentamiento local único y de características benignas. Se presentó el caso de un varón de 51 años, en el que se manifestó el seudotumor inflamatorio de forma nodular en el pulmón derecho, con evolución a un empiema pleural.

The inflammatory pseudo tumor is a few frequent non neoplastic process, characterized by an irregular increase of inflammatory cells. It can be originated in any place of the organism, and in most of the cases it has only one local settlement with benign characteristics. We presented the case of a male patient, aged 51 years who had the inflammatory pseudo tumor of nodular form in the right lung, with evolution to a pleural empyema.

Neumomediastino secundario a efecto Macklin: presentación de caso / Pneumo-mediastinum secondary to Macklin effect:: presentation of a case

El traumatismo torácico es un problema emergente de las grandes ciudades al aumentar los accidentes de tránsito. Se ha reportado neumomediastino hasta en 10 por ciento de los pacientes con contusión torácica, debiéndose este a lesiones traqueobronquiales en menos de 2 por ciento de los casos. A pesar de que la causa de enfisema mediastinal se desconoce en la mayoría de los pacientes, en muchos de ellos su etiología se puede deber al efecto Macklin. Esta presentación de caso trata sobre un paciente masculino de 40 años de edad con el antecedente de trauma complejo, presentando enfisema subcutáneo que afecta la cara anterior del tórax hasta los rebordes costales. En los estudios radiológicos se evidenció neumomediastino. Aunque la presencia del efecto Macklin representa un reto diagnóstico, una vez que este se ha establecido, el manejo debe basarse en el tratamiento de las lesiones asociadas. La presencia del efecto Macklin refleja el grado de severidad de la contusión torácica, por lo que estos pacientes deben ser monitorizados y manejados en el ambiente de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue reportar un caso de neumomediastino secundario a efecto Macklin, en un paciente con trauma cerrado de tórax, y revisar la fisiopatología de este mecanismo de fuga aérea(AU)

The thoracic traumatism is an emergent problem from the big cities when increasing the traffic accidents. The pneumomediastinum it has been reported until 10 percent in patient with thoracic bruise, being due to Tracheobronchial lesions in less than 2 per cent of the cases. Although the cause of mediastinal emphysema is ignored in most of the patients, in many of them its etiologic could be by Macklin effect. This case tries on a 40 year-old masculine patient with the antecedent of complex trauma, presenting subcutaneous emphysema that affects the anterior part of the thorax until the ribs. In the radiological studies Neumomediastino is evidenced. Although the presence of the effect Macklin represents a challenge diagnosis, once this has settled down the handling it should be based on the treatment of the associate lesions. The presence of the Macklin effect show the degree of severity of the thoracic bruise, for these reason those patientes should be admited in ICU. The objective of this publication is to report a case of pneumomediastinum secundary to Macklin effect in a patient with closed trauma of thorax and take in considerations the fisiopatologic of this mechanism of air leak(AU)

Neumomediastino secundario a efecto Macklin: presentación de caso / Pneumo-mediastinum secondary to Macklin effect: presentation of a case

El traumatismo torácico es un problema emergente de las grandes ciudades al aumentar los accidentes de tránsito. Se ha reportado neumomediastino hasta en 10 por ciento de los pacientes con contusión torácica, debiéndose este a lesiones traqueobronquiales en menos de 2 por ciento de los casos. A pesar de que la causa de enfisema mediastinal se desconoce en la mayoría de los pacientes, en muchos de ellos su etiología se puede deber al efecto Macklin. Esta presentación de caso trata sobre un paciente masculino de 40 años de edad con el antecedente de trauma complejo, presentando enfisema subcutáneo que afecta la cara anterior del tórax hasta los rebordes costales. En los estudios radiológicos se evidenció neumomediastino. Aunque la presencia del efecto Macklin representa un reto diagnóstico, una vez que este se ha establecido, el manejo debe basarse en el tratamiento de las lesiones asociadas. La presencia del efecto Macklin refleja el grado de severidad de la contusión torácica, por lo que estos pacientes deben ser monitorizados y manejados en el ambiente de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue reportar un caso de neumomediastino secundario a efecto Macklin, en un paciente con trauma cerrado de tórax, y revisar la fisiopatología de este mecanismo de fuga aérea.

The thoracic traumatism is an emergent problem from the big cities when increasing the traffic accidents. The pneumomediastinum it has been reported until 10 percent in patient with thoracic bruise, being due to Tracheobronchial lesions in less than 2 per cent of the cases. Although the cause of mediastinal emphysema is ignored in most of the patients, in many of them its etiologic could be by Macklin effect. This case tries on a 40 year-old masculine patient with the antecedent of complex trauma, presenting subcutaneous emphysema that affects the anterior part of the thorax until the ribs. In the radiological studies Neumomediastino is evidenced. Although the presence of the effect Macklin represents a challenge diagnosis, once this has settled down the handling it should be based on the treatment of the associate lesions. The presence of the Macklin effect show the degree of severity of the thoracic bruise, for these reason those patientes should be admited in ICU. The objective of this publication is to report a case of pneumomediastinum secundary to Macklin effect in a patient with closed trauma of thorax and take in considerations the fisiopatologic of this mechanism of air leak.

Hemorragia intraventricular: presentación de caso / Intraventricular hemorrhage: presentation of a case

En 1881, E Sanders, considerado como el primer autor que describió la hemorragia intraventricular escribió: “A menudo sobreviene el ataque sin la existencia de síntomas premonitorios mientras que el paciente está en reposo o paseando, habitualmente de forma súbita, pero en ocasiones más o menos lenta; puede ser anunciado por síntomas aparentemente banales o puede sea tan violenta y arrolladora que conduzca rápida o incluso instantáneamente a la muerte”. Se realizó una revisión de la bibliografía actualizada sobre esta patología, para la mejor comprensión del caso(AU)

In 1881, E Sanders, considered as the first author who described the intraventricular hemorrhage, wrote: “The stroke often happens without premonitory symptoms while the patient is resting or walking, usually suddenly, but sometimes more or less slowly; it may be announced by apparently banal symptoms or may be so violent and devastating that leads quickly or even instantaneously to death”. We made a review of the updated bibliography on this pathology for a better understanding of the case(AU)

Hemorragia intraventricular. Presentación de caso / Intraventricular hemorrhage. Presentation of a case

En 1881, E. Sanders, considerado como el primer autor que describió la hemorragia intraventricular escribió: “A menudo sobreviene el ataque sin la existencia de síntomas premonitorios mientras que el paciente está en reposo o paseando, habitualmente de forma súbita, pero en ocasiones más o menos lenta; puede ser anunciado por síntomas aparentemente banales o puede sea tan violenta y arrolladora que conduzca rápida o incluso instantáneamente a la muerte”. Se realizó una revisión de la bibliografía actualizada sobre esta patología, para la mejor comprensión del caso.

In 1881, E. Sanders, considered as the first author who described the intraventricular hemorrhage, wrote: “The stroke often happens without premonitory symptoms while the patient is resting or walking, usually suddenly, but sometimes more or less slowly; it may be announced by apparently banal symptoms or may be so violent and devastating that leads quickly or even instantaneously to death”. We made a review of the updated bibliography on this pathology for a better understanding of the case.

Trombolisis en tromboembolismo pulmonar postoperatorio: presentación de caso / Thrombolysis in post-surgery pulmonary thromboembolism: presentation of a case

El presente caso plantea la utilidad de la estreptoquinasa en el manejo del tromboembolismo pulmonar, con gran repercusión hemodinámica. De mayor relevancia el hecho de tratarse de un paciente postoperatorio, período en el cual el riesgo de tromboembolismo pulmonar es más alto, y el temor de sangrado motiva al cirujano a ser reacio a la anticoagulación. Se presentó una revisión actualizada del tema y la experiencia de un paciente con tromboembolismo pulmonar tratado con estreptoquinasa en el Hospital Provincial Docente Clínico Quirúrgico José Ramón López Tabrane, de Matanzas, monitorizado con catéter de arteria pulmonar, lo cual evidenció una disociación entre la presión distólica pulmonar y la presión en cuña. Se le aplicó estreptoquinasa por infusión continua, con respuesta clínica y hemodinámica satisfactoria...(AU)

The current case states the utility of the streptokinase in the pulmonary thromboembolism, with a great hemodynamic repercussion. Of greatest relevance is the fact of being a post-surgery patient, period in which post-surgery pulmonary thromboembolism risk is higher, and fearing bleeding motivates surgeon to refuse anticoagulation. We presented an updated review of the theme and the experience of a patient with post-surgery pulmonary thromboembolism treated with streptokinase in the Clinical Teaching Provincial Hospital José Ramón Lopez Tabrane, of Matanzas , monitored with a catheter of pulmonary artery, evidencing a dissociation between pulmonary diastolic pressure and wedge pressure. He received streptokinase via continuous infusion, with a satisfactory clinical and hemodynamic answer...(AU)

Trombolisis en tromboembolismo pulmonar postoperatorio: presentación de caso / Thrombolysis in post-surgery pulmonary thromboembolism: presentation of a case

El presente caso plantea la utilidad de la estreptoquinasa en el manejo del tromboembolismo pulmonar, con gran repercusión hemodinámica. De mayor relevancia el hecho de tratarse de un paciente postoperatorio, período en el cual el riesgo de tromboembolismo pulmonar es más alto, y el temor de sangrado motiva al cirujano a ser reacio a la anticoagulación. Se presentó una revisión actualizada del tema y la experiencia de un paciente con tromboembolismo pulmonar tratado con estreptoquinasa en el Hospital Provincial Docente Clínico Quirúrgico José Ramón López Tabrane, de Matanzas, monitorizado con catéter de arteria pulmonar, lo cual evidenció una disociación entre la presión distólica pulmonar y la presión en cuña. Se le aplicó estreptoquinasa por infusión continua, con respuesta clínica y hemodinámica satisfactoria...

The current case states the utility of the streptokinase in the pulmonary thromboembolism, with a great hemodynamic repercussion. Of greatest relevance is the fact of being a post-surgery patient, period in which post-surgery pulmonary thromboembolism risk is higher, and fearing bleeding motivates surgeon to refuse anticoagulation. We presented an updated review of the theme and the experience of a patient with post-surgery pulmonary thromboembolism treated with streptokinase in the Clinical Teaching Provincial Hospital José Ramón Lopez Tabrane, of Matanzas , monitored with a catheter of pulmonary artery, evidencing a dissociation between pulmonary diastolic pressure and wedge pressure. He received streptokinase via continuous infusion, with a satisfactory clinical and hemodynamic answer...

Diagnostic yield and clinical outcomes after capsule endoscopy in 100 consecutive patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.

OBJECTIVES: The endoscopic capsule is a useful tool for visualizing the small bowel in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. In this study the authors evaluated the diagnostic aid provided by the endoscopic capsule, the factors predicting a significant finding and their impact on the patients' clinical evolution. METHODS: A total of 100 patients (52 men and 48 women, average age 64.4 years) underwent capsule endoscopy. Of this group, 52 patients presented with obscure-overt bleeding and 48 with obscure-occult bleeding. After an average follow-up time of 11.4 months, the clinical outcome was evaluated in 95 patients. RESULTS: The endoscopic capsule identified significant findings in 68% of patients. The most common diagnosis (33.8%) was angiodysplasias. The most important factor predicting significant findings was the previous need for transfusion in the overt bleeding group. As the result of the findings, a specific intervention was made in 75.8% of patients. At the end of follow-up, the clinical outcome was considered positive in 71.6% of patients. Capsule retention occurred in one patient, who required surgery. CONCLUSION: In patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding, capsule endoscopy provides a high degree of diagnostic aid. The best candidates for this procedure are patients with obscure-overt bleeding who have required blood transfusions. Capsule endoscopy has a positive influence on an important proportion of patients, whether oriented towards new diagnostic techniques or towards a definitive treatment.

Increased collagen type I synthesis in patients with heart failure of hypertensive origin: relation to myocardial fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether increased collagen type I synthesis and deposition contribute to enhancement of myocardial fibrosis and deterioration of cardiac function in patients with hypertensive heart disease (HHD). METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied 65 hypertensives with left ventricular hypertrophy subdivided into 2 groups: 34 patients without heart failure (HF) and 31 patients with HF. Transvenous endomyocardial biopsies of the interventricular septum were performed to quantify the amount of fibrotic tissue and the extent of collagen type I deposition. The carboxy-terminal propeptide of procollagen type I (PIP), an index of collagen type I synthesis, was measured by radioimmunoassay in serum samples from the coronary sinus and the antecubital vein. Compared with normotensives, the amount of collagen tissue, the extent of collagen type I deposition, and coronary and peripheral PIP were increased (P<0.01) in the 2 groups of hypertensives. These parameters were also increased (P<0.01) in HF hypertensives compared with non-HF hypertensives. Coronary PIP was higher (P<0.01) than peripheral PIP in hypertensives but not in normotensives. The amount of collagen tissue was inversely correlated with the ejection fraction and directly correlated with both coronary and peripheral PIP in all hypertensives. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that an excess of cardiac collagen type I synthesis and deposition may be involved in the enhancement of myocardial fibrosis that accompanies the development of HF in HHD. In addition, our data show that the heart secretes PIP via the coronary sinus into the peripheral circulation in patients with HHD. Thus, PIP determined in peripheral blood can be a useful marker of myocardial fibrosis in these patients.

Effects of loop diuretics on myocardial fibrosis and collagen type I turnover in chronic heart failure.

OBJECTIVES: This individually randomized, open-label, parallel-group pilot study was designed to test the hypothesis that the ability of loop diuretics to interfere with cardiac fibrosis in chronic heart failure (CHF) may be different between compounds. BACKGROUND: The apparent mortality and cardiac benefits seen in studies comparing torasemide with furosemide in CHF suggest that torasemide may have beneficial effects beyond diuresis (e.g., on the process of cardiac fibrosis). METHODS: Patients with New York Heart Association functional class II to IV CHF received diuretic therapy with either 10 to 20 mg/day oral torasemide (n = 19) or 20 to 40 mg/day oral furosemide (n = 17), in addition to their existing standard CHF therapy for eight months. At baseline and after eight months, right septal endomyocardial biopsies were obtained to quantify collagen volume fraction (CVF) with an automated image analysis system. Serum carboxy-terminal peptide of procollagen type I (PIP) and serum carboxy-terminal telopeptide of collagen type I (CITP), indexes of collagen type I synthesis and degradation, respectively, were measured by specific radioimmunoassays. RESULTS: In torasemide-treated patients, CVF decreased from 7.96 +/- 0.54% to 4.48 +/- 0.26% (p < 0.01), and PIP decreased from 143 +/- 7 to 111 +/- 3 microg/l (p < 0.01). Neither CVF nor PIP changed significantly in furosemide-treated patients. In all patients, CVF was directly correlated with PIP (r = 0.88, p < 0.001) before and after treatment. No changes in CITP were observed with treatment in either group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that loop diuretics possess different abilities to reverse myocardial fibrosis and reduce collagen type I synthesis in patients with CHF.