Ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm in primary care. / Utilidad de la ecografía en el cribado del aneurisma de aorta abdominal en atención primaria.

INTRODUCTION: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) constitutes a pathology with high mortality. There is currently no screening program implemented in primary care in Spain. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the usefulness of ultrasound in the detection of AAA in the at-risk population in primary care. Secondarily, to identify subjects whose vascular risk (VR) should be reclassified and to determine whether AAA is associated with the presence of carotid plaque and other risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional, descriptive, multicenter, national, descriptive study in primary care. SUBJECTS: A consecutive selection of hypertensive males aged between 65 and 75 who are either smokers or former smokers, or individuals over the age of 50 of both sexes with a family history of AAA. MEASUREMENTS: Diameter of abdominal aorta and iliac arteries; detection of abdominal aortic and carotid atherosclerotic plaque. VR was calculated at the beginning and after testing (SCORE). RESULTS: One hundred and fifty patients were analyzed (age: 68.3±5 years; 89.3% male). Baseline RV was high/very high in 55.3%. AAA was detected in 12 patients (8%; 95% CI: 4-12); aortic ectasia in 13 (8.7%); abdominal aortic plaque in 44% and carotid plaque in 62% of the participants. VR was reclassified in 50% of subjects. The detection of AAA or ectasia was associated with the presence of carotid plaque, current smoking and lipoprotein(a), p<0.01. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of AAA in patients with VR is high. Ultrasound in primary care allows detection of AAA and subclinical atherosclerosis and consequently reclassification of the VR, demonstrating its utility in screening for AAA in the at-risk population.

Translation and adaptation to Spanish of Aberdeen varicose veins questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to translate the Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire (AVVQ) into Spanish and evaluate the feasibility and reliability of the Spanish-translated AVVQ in patients with chronic venous disease. METHODS: Reliability was assessed by test and retest of the Spanish translated AVVQ in a sample of 77 patients. The questionnaires were answered within a 2-week interval. RESULTS: There was a 100% test and retest response. The AVVQ showed 6.5% of missing responses. Cronbach's alpha was 0.71 indicating an adequate level of internal consistency. Spearman's rho showed a significant strong association between test and retest scores (rho = 0.84, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish-translated AVVQ is a reliable tool in our daily clinical practice in order to measure the impact of venous disease in the quality of life.

Treatment of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Complications Assisted with a Cerebral Embolism Protection Device.

We report a case of a stroke and upper limb ischemia in a 27-year-old female secondary to a right cervical rib and retrograde thromboembolization. Follow-up showed complete patency of the vessels after thrombectomy and internal carotid artery stenting followed by transbrachial embolectomy performed with a cerebral protection device. The cervical rib was surgically removed to prevent additional events.

Post-industrial context of cassava bagasse and trend of studies towards a sustainable industry: A scoping review - Part I.

Background: The cassava starch industry is recognized as a source of negative externalities caused by the agroindustrial waste 'cassava bagasse'. Even though options for bioconversion of cassava bagasse have been introduced, it is also true that hundreds of tons of this waste are produced annually with the consequent negative environmental impact. This agroindustrial context highlights the need for further research in technological proposals aimed at lowering the water contained in cassava bagasse. Methods: We report a scoping review of studies from 2010-2021 that mention the uses of cassava bagasse, as well as the technological options that have become effective for drying fruits and vegetables. The method used for selecting articles was based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) method. Articles selected were taken from the databases of ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Scopus and Springer. Results : This review highlights fruit and vegetable osmotic dehydration and drying studies assisted by the combination of emerging technologies of osmotic pressure, ultrasound, and electrical pulses. Studies that take advantage of cassava bagasse have focused on biotechnological products, animal and human food industry, and development of biofilms and biomaterials. Conclusions: In this review, we found 60 studies out of 124 that show the advantages of the residual components of cassava bagasse for the development of new products. These studies do not mention any potential use of bagasse fiber for post-industrial purposes, leaving this end products' final use/disposal unaddressed. A viable solution is osmotic dehydration and drying assisted with electrical pulse and ultrasound that have been shown to improve the drying efficiency of fruits, vegetables and tubers. This greatly improves the drying efficiency of agro-industrial residues such as husks and bagasse, which in turn, directly impacts its post-industrial use.

Unilateral Proptosis (Exophthalmos) Caused by Axillary-Subclavian Venous Thrombosis in a Patient with Upper Extremity Arteriovenous Dialysis Fistula.

Arterialization of orbital veins is most often due to dural arteriovenous malformations of the cavernous sinus area. We report an unusual case of unilateral proptosis (exophthalmos) caused by arterialized retrograde venous flow in the external jugular vein and cavernous sinus in a patient with an upper extremity hemodialysis fistula and ipsilateral acute central venous thrombosis. The patient's symptoms improved after surgical closure of the hemodialysis fistula.

Hallazgos tomográficos posoperatorios en pacientes con traumatismos torácicos / Tomographic postoperative findings in patients with thoracic trauma

Introducción: El trauma torácico se encuentra entre las primeras causas de muerte, fundamentalmente en personas jóvenes. Objetivos: Caracterizar a una población operada por traumatismos torácicos según variables clinicoepidemiológicas y describir los hallazgos tomográficos posquirúrgicos. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo un estudio observacional y descriptivo de 48 pacientes atendidos en el Servicio de Radiología del Provincial Clínico-Quirúrgico Docente Saturnino Lora de Santiago de Cuba, de enero del 2016 a diciembre del 2018, a los cuales se les realizó tomografía computarizada multidetector. Resultados: Los traumas torácicos predominaron en personas jóvenes del sexo masculino, asociadas fundamentalmente a acciones violentas que provocaron traumas abiertos. La contusión pulmonar resultó ser el hallazgo tomográfico inicial más frecuente, en tanto, el neumotórax persistente y el hemotórax coagulado constituyeron los hallazgos tomográficos más influyentes en la decisión de una reintervención quirúrgica. Conclusiones: La tomografía es un medio diagnóstico que permite una descripción detallada del estado posoperatorio de los órganos afectados, con un alto valor orientativo para decidir procedimientos quirúrgicos posteriores.

Introduction: The thoracic trauma is among the first causes of death, fundamentally in young people. Objectives: To characterize a population operated due to thoracic trauma according to clinical epidemiological variables and describe the postsurgical tomographic findings. Methods: An observational and descriptive study of 48 patients assisted in the Radiology Service of Saturnino Lora Teaching Clinical Surgical Provincial Hospital was carried out in Santiago de Cuba, from January, 2016 to December, 2018, to whom a multidetector computed tomography was carried out. Results: The thoracic traumas prevailed in young male people, fundamentally associated with violent actions that caused open traumas. The lung contusion was the most frequent initial tomographic finding, as long as, the persistent pneumothorax and the coagulated hemothorax constituted the most influential tomographic findings in the decision of a surgical reintervention. Conclusions: Tomography is a diagnostic means that allows a detailed description of the postoperative state in the affected organs, with a high orientative value to decide later surgical procedures.

Carotid artery stenting has similar outcomes in men and women.

BACKGROUND: The aim of carotid interventions is to prevent cerebrovascular events. Endovascular treatment (carotid-artery-stenting/CAS) has become established as an alternative to open surgery in some cases. Historically, female sex has been considered as a perioperative risk factor, however, there are few studies regarding this hypothesis when it comes to CAS. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the CAS results in our center adjusted by sex. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was designed, including patients with carotid atheromatosis operated at a single center from January 2016 to June 2019. Our objective was to compare cardiovascular risk, including myocardial infarction, stroke, and mortality, by sex. Follow-up rates of stent patency, restenosis, stroke, myocardial infarction, and death were reported. RESULTS: 71 interventions were performed in 50 men (70.42%) and 21 women (29.57%). Mean age was 70.50 ± 10.72 years for men and 73.62 ± 11.78 years for women. Cardiovascular risk factors did not differ significantly between sexes. Mean follow-up was 11.28 ± 11.28 months. There were no significant differences in neurological events during follow-up. No adverse cardiological events were detected at any time. Regarding the mortality rate, during medium-term follow up there were 2 neurological related deaths with no significant differences between sexes (p=0.8432). Neither sex had higher rated of restenosis during long term follow-up (5.63% vs. 1.41%, p = 0.9693) or reoperation (1.41% vs. 1.41%, p = 0.4971). All procedures remained patent (<50% restenosis). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the limitations of our study, CAS is a therapeutic option that is as effective and safe in women as in men. No sex differences were observed.

CONTEXTO: As intervenções carotídeas visam prevenir eventos cerebrovasculares. O tratamento endovascular (implante de stent na artéria carótida) se estabeleceu como uma alternativa à cirurgia aberta em alguns casos. Historicamente, o sexo feminino é considerado um fator de risco perioperatório, mas há poucos estudos abordando essa hipótese em casos de stent de carótida. OBJETIVOS: Analisar os resultados do CAS em nosso centro ajustados por sexo. MÉTODOS: Este estudo de coorte retrospectivo incluiu pacientes com ateromatose carotídea operados em um centro de janeiro de 2016 a junho de 2019. Nosso objetivo foi comparar o risco cardiovascular, incluindo infarto do miocárdio, acidente vascular cerebral e mortalidade, de acordo com o sexo. No seguimento, foram descritos patência do stent, reestenose, acidente vascular cerebral, infarto do miocárdio e morte. RESULTADOS: Setenta e uma intervenções foram realizadas: 50 homens (70,42%) e 21 mulheres (29,57%). A média de idade foi de 70,50 ± 10,72 anos nos homens e 73,62 ± 11,78 anos nas mulheres. Os fatores de risco cardiovascular não diferiram significativamente entre os sexos. A média de seguimento foi de 11,28 ± 11,28 meses. Durante o seguimento, não houve diferenças significativas nos eventos neurológicos. Nenhum evento cardiológico adverso foi detectado. Quanto à taxa de mortalidade, durante o seguimento de médio prazo ocorreram 2 óbitos neurológicos sem diferenças significativas entre os sexos (p = 0,8432). Não foi observada maior taxa de reestenose no seguimento de longo prazo (5,63% vs. 1,41%, p = 0,9693) ou de reoperação (1,41% vs. 1,41%, p = 0,4971) ao comparar os dois sexos. Todos os procedimentos permaneceram pérvios (< 50% de reestenose). CONCLUSÕES: Apesar das limitações deste estudo, o stent de carótida em mulheres é uma opção terapêutica tão eficaz e segura quanto em homens. Nenhuma diferença foi observada entre os sexos.

Mortality of COVID-19 patients with vascular thrombotic complications.

PURPOSE: To analyze the survival of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and who presented some vascular thrombotic complication. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All consecutive patients with COVID-19 who were treated during the months of March and April 2020 at our institution were included. All patients were symptomatic and the thrombotic event objectively confirmed. Patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), ischemic stroke, and peripheral arterial thrombosis (PAT) were included. Survival curves for all groups were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier with Log Rank test, and Cox regression. RESULTS: During the pandemic period from March-1 to April-30, 2943 patients were treated with confirmed COVID-19 in our center. 106 patients showed some symptomatic vascular thrombosis: 13 patients had PAT, 15 ischemic stroke, 20 DVT and 58 PE. 11 patients presented multiple vascular thrombosis. Although the mean age was 65 years, there were differences between groups being older those patients with arterial thrombosis. A 67.92% were men. In total, 25 patients died during their hospital admission (23.58%), with differences between groups, being more common in patients with PAT (9 patients out of 13) and ischemic stroke (8 patients out of 15), than in those with DVT (1 patient out of 20) or PE (7 patients out of 58). CONCLUSIONS: The venous thromboembolic risk in these patients is greater than the arterial, but arterial thrombosis when it occurs was associated with high mortality rates. Survival was better in patients with DVT and PE than in patients with ischemic stroke or PAT.

OBJETIVO: Presentar nuestra experiencia y analizar la supervivencia de los pacientes hospitalizados con COVID-19 y que presentaron algún proceso trombótico vascular. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se incluyeron todos los pacientes consecutivos COVID-19 que fueron atendidos durante los meses de marzo-abril 2020 en nuestra institución. Se incluyeron pacientes sintomáticos con trombosis venosa profunda (TVP), tromboembolia pulmonar (TEP), ictus isquémico y trombosis arterial periférica (TAP) confirmados objetivamente. Se analizaron las curvas de supervivencia de todos los grupos mediante Kaplan-Meier, test de Log Rank, y regresión de Cox. RESULTADOS: Durante el periodo pandémico del 1-marzo al 30-abril, se atendieron 2943 pacientes COVID-19 en nuestro centro. 106 pacientes presentaron algún proceso trombótico vascular sintomático: 13 pacientes tuvieron TAP, 15 ictus, 20 TVP y 58 TEP. 11 pacientes mostraron trombosis vasculares múltiples. Aunque la edad media fue de 65 años, fueron de edad más avanzada los que mostraron trombosis arteriales que procesos tromboembólicos venosos. El 67.92% fueron hombres. En total, 25 pacientes murieron durante su ingreso hospitalario (23.58%), existiendo diferencias entre grupos siendo más común en pacientes con TAP (9 pacientes de 13), e ictus isquémico (8 pacientes de 15), que en los de TVP (1 paciente de 20) o TEP (7 pacientes de 58). CONCLUSIONES: El riesgo tromboembólico venoso en estos pacientes es mayor que el arterial, pero la trombosis arterial cuando acontece estuvo asociada a altas tasas de mortalidad. La supervivencia fue mejor en los pacientes con TVP y TEP que en los pacientes con ictus isquémico o trombosis arterial periférica.

[Mortality of covid-19 patients with vascular thrombotic complications]. / Mortalidad de los pacientes covid-19 con complicaciones trombóticas.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the survival of patients hospitalized with covid-19 and who presented some vascular thrombotic complication. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All consecutive patients with covid-19 who were treated during the months of March and April 2020 at our institution were included. All patients were symptomatic and the thrombotic event objectively confirmed. Patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), ischemic stroke, and peripheral arterial thrombosis (PAT) were included. Survival curves for all groups were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier with log rank test, and Cox regression. RESULTS: During the pandemic period from March-1 to April-30, 2943 patients were treated with confirmed covid-19 in our center. Of them, 106 patients showed some symptomatic vascular thrombosis: 13 patients had PAT, 15 ischemic stroke, 20 DVT and 58 PE. Another 11 patients presented multiple vascular thrombosis. Although the mean age was 65 years, there were differences between groups being older those patients with arterial thrombosis. A 67.92% were men. In total, 25 patients died during their hospital admission (23.58%), with differences between groups, being more common in patients with PAT (9 patients out of 13) and ischemic stroke (8 patients out of 15), than in those with DVT (1 patient out of 20) or PE (7 patients out of 58). CONCLUSIONS: The venous thromboembolic risk in these patients is greater than the arterial, but arterial thrombosis when it occurs was associated with high mortality rates. Survival was better in patients with DVT and PE than in patients with ischemic stroke or PAT.

Carotid artery stenting has similar outcomes in men and women / Implante de stent na artéria carótida tem desfechos semelhantes em homens e mulheres

Abstract Background The aim of carotid interventions is to prevent cerebrovascular events. Endovascular treatment (carotid-artery-stenting/CAS) has become established as an alternative to open surgery in some cases. Historically, female sex has been considered as a perioperative risk factor, however, there are few studies regarding this hypothesis when it comes to CAS. Objectives To analyze the CAS results in our center adjusted by sex. Methods A retrospective cohort study was designed, including patients with carotid atheromatosis operated at a single center from January 2016 to June 2019. Our objective was to compare cardiovascular risk, including myocardial infarction, stroke, and mortality, by sex. Follow-up rates of stent patency, restenosis, stroke, myocardial infarction, and death were reported. Results 71 interventions were performed in 50 men (70.42%) and 21 women (29.57%). Mean age was 70.50 ± 10.72 years for men and 73.62 ± 11.78 years for women. Cardiovascular risk factors did not differ significantly between sexes. Mean follow-up was 11.28 ± 11.28 months. There were no significant differences in neurological events during follow-up. No adverse cardiological events were detected at any time. Regarding the mortality rate, during medium-term follow up there were 2 neurological related deaths with no significant differences between sexes (p=0.8432). Neither sex had higher rated of restenosis during long term follow-up (5.63% vs. 1.41%, p = 0.9693) or reoperation (1.41% vs. 1.41%, p = 0.4971). All procedures remained patent (<50% restenosis). Conclusions Despite the limitations of our study, CAS is a therapeutic option that is as effective and safe in women as in men. No sex differences were observed.

Resumo Contexto As intervenções carotídeas visam prevenir eventos cerebrovasculares. O tratamento endovascular (implante de stent na artéria carótida) se estabeleceu como uma alternativa à cirurgia aberta em alguns casos. Historicamente, o sexo feminino é considerado um fator de risco perioperatório, mas há poucos estudos abordando essa hipótese em casos de stent de carótida. Objetivos Analisar os resultados do CAS em nosso centro ajustados por sexo. Métodos Este estudo de coorte retrospectivo incluiu pacientes com ateromatose carotídea operados em um centro de janeiro de 2016 a junho de 2019. Nosso objetivo foi comparar o risco cardiovascular, incluindo infarto do miocárdio, acidente vascular cerebral e mortalidade, de acordo com o sexo. No seguimento, foram descritos patência do stent, reestenose, acidente vascular cerebral, infarto do miocárdio e morte. Resultados Setenta e uma intervenções foram realizadas: 50 homens (70,42%) e 21 mulheres (29,57%). A média de idade foi de 70,50 ± 10,72 anos nos homens e 73,62 ± 11,78 anos nas mulheres. Os fatores de risco cardiovascular não diferiram significativamente entre os sexos. A média de seguimento foi de 11,28 ± 11,28 meses. Durante o seguimento, não houve diferenças significativas nos eventos neurológicos. Nenhum evento cardiológico adverso foi detectado. Quanto à taxa de mortalidade, durante o seguimento de médio prazo ocorreram 2 óbitos neurológicos sem diferenças significativas entre os sexos (p = 0,8432). Não foi observada maior taxa de reestenose no seguimento de longo prazo (5,63% vs. 1,41%, p = 0,9693) ou de reoperação (1,41% vs. 1,41%, p = 0,4971) ao comparar os dois sexos. Todos os procedimentos permaneceram pérvios (< 50% de reestenose). Conclusões Apesar das limitações deste estudo, o stent de carótida em mulheres é uma opção terapêutica tão eficaz e segura quanto em homens. Nenhuma diferença foi observada entre os sexos.

Ecografía Doppler en el diagnóstico de trombosis venosa profunda de miembros inferiores / Doppler ultrasound in diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis of lower limbs / Ultrassom doppler no diagnóstico de trombose venosa profunda de membros inferiores

RESUMEN Introducción: las trombosis que se producen en el sistema venoso profundo son más importantes que las del sistema venoso superficial, debido a la gravedad de sus complicaciones, que pueden llegar a ser fatales. Objetivo: describir los hallazgos por ecografía Doppler en pacientes portadores de trombosis venosa de miembros inferiores. Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo de serie de casos, de pacientes con diagnóstico de trombosis venosa de miembros inferiores, atendidos en el Servicio de Angiología y Cirugía Vascular del Hospital Provincial Docente Clinicoquirúrgico Saturnino Lora Torres de Santiago de Cuba, desde enero de 2015 hasta junio de 2017. Resultados: la ecografía Doppler mostró como localización del trombo más frecuente el confluente Safeno-femoral (58,6 %). La visualización del trombo como signo directo, estuvo presente en 94,8 %, coincidiendo con igual porcentaje la presencia de dilataciones venosas como signo indirecto. Conclusiones: la ecografía Doppler evidenció la visualización del trombo y la falta de compresibilidad como signos ecográficos más frecuentes; diagnóstico realizado predominantemente entre las 24 y 48 horas resultando la vena femoral común la más afectada.

ABSTRACT Introduction: thrombosis that occurs in the deep venous system is more important than those of the superficial venous system, due to the severity of its complications, which can become fatal. Objective: describe Doppler ultrasound findings in patients with lower limb venous thrombosis. Methods: an observational, descriptive study of series of cases was carried out of patients diagnosed with venous thrombosis of lower limbs, attended in the Angiology and Vascular Surgery Service of the Provincial Teaching Hospital Clinicoquirúrgico Saturnino Lora Torres de Santiago de Cuba, from January 2015 to June 2017. Results: doppler ultrasound showed safeno-femoral confluent (58.6%). The visualization of thrombus as a direct sign was present at 94.8%, coinciding with equal percentage the presence of venous dilations as an indirect sign. Conclusions: doppler ultrasound showed thrombus visualization and lack of compresibility as more common ultrasound signs; diagnosis made predominantly between 24 and 48 hours resulting in the most affected common femoral vein.

RESUMO Introdução: a trombose que ocorre no sistema venoso profundo é mais importante do que as do sistema venoso superficial, devido à gravidade de suas complicações, que podem se tornar fatais. Objetivo: descrever os achados do ultrassom doppler em pacientes com trombose venosa do membro inferior. Métodos: foi realizado um estudo observacional e descritivo de série de casos de pacientes diagnosticados com trombose venosa de membros inferiores, atendidos no Serviço de Angiologia e Cirurgia Vascular do Hospital Universitário Provincial Clinicoquirúrgico Saturnino Lora Torres de Santiago de Cuba, de janeiro de 2015 a junho de 2017. Resultados: o ultrassom doppler mostrou confluente safeno-femoral (58,6%). A visualização de multidões como sinal direto estava presente em 94,8%, coincidindo com igual percentual a presença de dilatações venosas como sinal indireto. Conclusões: o ultrassom doppler mostrou visualização de trombos e falta de compreensão como sinais de ultrassom mais comuns; diagnóstico feito predominantemente entre 24 e 48 horas resultando na veia femoral comum mais afetada.

Correspondencia ecográfica y tomográfica en el diagnóstico de cáncer de vejiga / Echographic and tomographic correspondence in the diagnosis of bladder cancer

Introducción: El diagnóstico eficaz y precoz del cáncer vesical es de extrema importancia para lograr un tratamiento potencialmente curativo y, con ello, elevar la supervivencia de los afectados. Objetivo: Describir los hallazgos ecográficos y tomográficos en pacientes con tumores malignos de vejiga. Métodos: Se efectuó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal de 250 pacientes con diagnóstico confirmado de cáncer vesical a los cuales se les había realizado previamente ecografía y tomografía en el Servicio de Imagenología del Hospital Provincial Clínico-Quirúrgico Docente Saturnino Lora de Santiago de Cuba, desde enero de 2013 hasta diciembre de 2017. Resultados: En la serie resultaron más frecuentes los hombres mayores de 60 años. Al analizar los hallazgos ecográficos se obtuvo un predominio de la estructura ecogénica, así como de los tumores bien definidos, mayores de 3 cm y vascularizados, además de otras características como calcificaciones, necrosis, adenopatías e infiltración en estructuras vecinas. En la tomografía se observaron mayormente la estructura mixta, los tumores captantes y prácticamente las mismas características encontradas en la ecografía, de manera que hubo una coincidencia casi absoluta entre ambos medios diagnósticos. Conclusiones: La imagen ecográfica del cáncer de vejiga es ecogénica y mixta en comparación con la tomográfica, lo que posibilita un diagnóstico indiscutible de la enfermedad; no obstante, la tomografía perfila las características y los detalles coherentes en correspondencia con los hallazgos aportados por otras técnicas imagenológicas.

Introduction: The effective and early diagnosis of vesical cancer is of extreme importance to achieve a potentially healing treatment and, with it, to elevate the survival in those affected. Objective: To describe the echographic and tomographic findings in patients with bladder malignancies. Methods: An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study of 250 patients with confirmed diagnosis of vesical cancer was carried out to whom had been previously performed echography and tomography in the Imagenology Service of the Saturnino Lora Teaching Clinical-Surgical Provincial Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, from January, 2013 to December, 2017. Results: In the series men over 60 years were more frequent. When analyzing the echographic findings there was prevalence of the echogenic structure, as well as of the bigger than 3 cm and vascularized very well defined tumors, besides other characteristics as calcifications, necrosis, adenopathies and infiltration in close structures. In the tomography the mixed image, captant tumors and practically the same characteristics found in the echography were mostly observed, so that there was an almost absolute coincidence between both diagnostic means. Conclusions: The echographic image of bladder cancer is echogenic and mixed in comparison with the tomographic image, what facilitates an unquestionable diagnosis of the disease; nevertheless, the tomography profiles the characteristics and the coherent details in correspondence with the findings contributed by other imaging techniques.

National Diagnostic Reference Levels for Endovascular Aneurysm Repair and Optimisation Strategies.

OBJECTIVE: The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) has highlighted the large number of medical specialties using fluoroscopy outside imaging departments without programmes of radiation protection (RP) for patients and staff. Vascular surgery is one of these specialties and endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is one of the most challenging procedures requiring RP guidance and optimisation actions. The recent European Directive on Basic Safety Standards requires the use and regular update of diagnostic reference levels (DRL) for interventional procedures. The objective of the study was to know the doses of patients undergoing EVAR with mobile Xray systems and with hybrid rooms (fixed Xray systems), to obtain national DRLs and suggest optimisation actions. METHODS: The Spanish Chapter of Endovascular Surgery launched a national survey that involved hospitals for 10 autonomous communities representing the 77% of the Spanish population (46.7 million inhabitants). Patient dose values from mobile Xray systems were available from nine hospitals (sample of 165 EVAR procedures) and data from hybrid rooms, from seven hospitals, with dosimetric data from 123 procedures. The initial national DRLs have been obtained, as the third quartile of the median values from the different centres involved in the survey. RESULTS: The proposed national DRLs are 278 Gy cm2 for hybrid rooms and 87 Gy cm2 for mobile Xray systems, and for cumulative air kerma (cumulative AK) at the patient entrance reference point, 1403 mGy for hybrid rooms, and 292 mGy for mobile systems. CONCLUSION: An audit of patient doses for EVAR procedures to identify optimised imaging protocol strategies is needed. It is also appropriate to evaluate the diagnostic information required for EVAR procedures. The increase by a factor of 3.2 (for kerma area product) and 4.8 (for cumulative AK) in the DRLs needs to be justified when the procedures are performed in the hybrid rooms rather than with mobile Xray systems.

Aspectos tomográficos e histológicos en pacientes con neoplasia exocrina de páncreas / Tomographic and histologic aspects in patients with pancreas exocrine neoplasm

Introducción: El cáncer de páncreas se origina en la glándula pancreática y es una de las neoplasias más invasivas debido a su rápida diseminación, la falta de síntomas específicos en sus inicios y su diagnóstico tardío. Objetivo: Caracterizar a pacientes con cáncer de páncreas según variables de interés. Métodos: Se efectuó un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal en el Servicio de Imagenología del Hospital Provincial Clinicoquirúrgico Docente Saturnino Lora de la provincia de Santiago de Cuba, desde enero de 2013 hasta diciembre de 2017, de 70 pacientes con diagnóstico tomográfico sugestivo de dicha neoplasia maligna. Resultados: En la serie el tumor exocrino pancreático primó en pacientes mayores de 60 años de edad (37,1 %), del sexo masculino (54,2 %) y de la raza mestiza (61,4 %). El diagnóstico histológico predominante fue el de adenocarcinoma ductal poco diferenciado (47,2 %), en tanto, los factores de riesgo mayormente asociados al proceso neoplásico fueron las comidas grasas (68,6 %), el tabaquismo (61,4 %) y el alcoholismo (50,0 %), y el antecedente patológico personal más frecuente, la diabetes mellitus (37,1 %). Conclusiones: La tomografía axial computarizada proporciona una descripción detallada de las neoplasias pancreáticas y su extensión, lo cual es de gran utilidad para la estadificación de estas y, además, determina la conducta terapéutica a seguir.

Introduction: The pancreas cancer originates in the pancreatic gland and it is one of the more invasive neoplasms due to its quick dissemination, lack of specific symptoms in its beginnings and its late diagnosis. Objective: To characterize patients with pancreas cancer according to variables of interest. Methods: An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in the Imaging Service of Saturnino Lora Teaching Provincial Clinical Surgical Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, from January, 2013 to December, 2017 to 70 patients with suggestive tomographic diagnosis of this malignancy. Results: In the series the pancreatic exocrine tumor prevailed in patients older than 60 years (37.1 %), the male sex (54.2 %) and mixed race (61.4 %). The predominant histologic diagnosis was the ductal adenocarcinoma hardly differentiated (47.2 %), as long as, the risk factors mostly associated with the neoplasm were fatty foods (68.6 %), nicotine addiction (61.4 %) and alcoholism (50.0 %), and the most frequent personal pathological history was diabetes mellitus (37.1 %). Conclusions: The computerized axial tomography provides a detailed description of the pancreatic neoplasms and their extension, which is very useful for the staging of these malignancies and, also, it determines the therapeutic behavior we should follow.

COVID-19-Related Aortic Thrombosis: A Report of Four Cases.

COVID-19 may predispose patients to an increased risk of thrombotic complications through various pathophysiological mechanisms. Most of the reports on a high incidence of thrombotic complications are in relation to deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, while the evidence about arterial thrombosis in patients with COVID-19 is limited. We describe 4 cases of aortic thrombosis and associated ischemic complications in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Características clinicoepidemiológicas de pacientes con trombosis venosa profunda en los miembros inferiores / Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of patients with deep venous thrombosis in lower limbs

Introducción: La trombosis venosa profunda consiste en la formación de un trombo en un trayecto de una vena profunda, lo que provoca la oclusión total o parcial de esta. Objetivo: Caracterizar una población de afectados por esta entidad clínica, según variables de interés. Métodos: Se efectuó un estudio observacional y descriptivo de serie de casos, de pacientes con presunto diagnóstico clínico de trombosis venosa de miembros inferiores, atendidos en el Servicio de Angiología y Cirugía Vascular del Hospital Provincial Clinicoquirúrgico Docente Saturnino Lora Torres de Santiago de Cuba desde enero de 2015 hasta junio de 2017, en quienes se realizó ecografía Doppler para confirmar la presencia de este episodio vascular. Resultados: La enfermedad primó en el grupo etario de 65 y más años (32,1 %) y en el sexo femenino (74,1 %). La inmovilidad de miembros inferiores constituyó el factor de riesgo predominante (27,0 %), en tanto el dolor, el edema y la taquicardia resultaron las manifestaciones clínicas más frecuentes (20,5 % en cada una), y el miembro inferior izquierdo fue el más afectado (69,0 %). Conclusiones: La trombosis venosa de los miembros inferiores se presentó como propia de las edades avanzadas de la vida, fundamentalmente en mujeres, con un cuadro clínico que indicaba claramente su existencia.

Introduction: The deep venous thrombosis consists on the formation of a clot in a deep vein way, what causes its total or partial occlusion. Objective: To characterize a population affected by this clinical entity, according to variables of interest. Methods: An observational and descriptive study of a serial cases, of patients with presumed clinical diagnosis of venous thrombosis of the lower limbs, assisted in the Angiology and Vascular Surgery Service of Saturnino Lora Torres Teaching Clinical Surgical Provincial Hospital was carried out in Santiago de Cuba from January, 2015 to June, 2017, to whom a Doppler echography to confirm the presence of this vascular episode was carried out. Results: The disease prevailed in the 65 and more age group (32.1 %) and in the female sex (74.1 %). The immobility of lower limbs constituted the predominant risk factor (27.0 %), as long as pain, edema and tachycardia were the most frequent clinical manifestations (20.5 % in each one), and the left lower limb was the most affected (69.0 %). Conclusions: The venous thrombosis of lower limbs was presented as characteristic of the advanced ages of life, mainly in women, with a clinical pattern that indicated with high clarity its existence.

Atrial Fibrillation and Surgical Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in clinical practice and its prevalence rate significantly increases with age. The prognostic implication of AF in surgical patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) has not been analyzed. The aims of this study were to analyze the prevalence of AF among patients operated on with symptomatic PAD, and to determine whether these patients are at a higher risk of death or amputation. METHODS: We designed a retrospective cohort study, from January 2013 to December 2017, in which we analyzed the medical records of all consecutive patients with symptomatic PAD admitted to our hospital and underwent a vascular procedure. We compared the outcomes of patients with and without AF. All statistically significant demographic variables that underwent a univariate analysis were inserted in the stepwise multivariate model along with AF. A survival analysis was performed to evaluate the factors associated with mortality through a Cox regression model. P-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Four hundred three patients were admitted in-hospital with symptomatic PAD and they underwent a vascular intervention. The mean follow-up was 2 years. Seventy-six patients (18.8%) had AF. These patients were older (78 ± 9.1 years) than the 327 patients without AF (68 ± 12.37 years) (P < 0.0001), and more likely to undergo emergency surgery (18.42% vs. 7.34%, P = 0.0029). Age and emergency admission were dependent associates of AF. The patients with AF were frequently men (69.7%) with previous hypertension (96% %). The presence of AF was associated with higher rate of all-cause mortality (55.26%, P < 0.0001, hazard ratio 2.24, confidence interval 1.55-3.25), but the multivariate analysis adjusted for risk factors showed that the mortality was only associated with age because these patients were older and with many comorbidities. The majority of this population with AF showed some tissue lesion when they were admitted in-hospital (Rutherford V-VI, AF 80.2%, P = 0.0004), and this fact justified that a 22.36% underwent a major amputation affecting the ischemic lower limb in admission (P = 0.018). During the follow-up the free amputation rate was similar between groups (60.5% AF vs. 78.3% non-AF). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the high prevalence of AF in patients with symptomatic PAD that required surgical admission in-hospital. The presence of AF was related with a greater and serious risk of mortality, but this was independently associated to age, because patients with AF were older and frailer. Clearly, this group of patients had a high risk of amputation when they arrived to the hospital and they needed emergency surgery.