Point-of-care lung ultrasound predicts in-hospital mortality in acute heart failure.

BACKGROUND: B-lines have been associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) when found at hospital discharge or during outpatient visits. Whether lung ultrasound (LUS) assessed B-lines may predict in-hospital mortality in patients with acute HF is still undetermined. AIM: To evaluate the association between B-lines on admission and in-hospital mortality among patients admitted with acute HF. METHODS: Hand-held LUS was used to examine patients with acute HF. LUS was performed in eight chest zones with a pocket ultrasound device and analyzed offline. The association between B-lines and in-hospital mortality was assessed using Cox regression models. RESULTS: We included 62 patients with median age 56 years, 69.4% men, and median left ventricle ejection fraction 25%. The sum of B-lines ranged from 0 to 53 (median 6.5). An optimal receiver operating characteristic-determined cut-off of ≥19 B-lines demonstrated a sensitivity of 57% and a specificity of 86% (area under the curve 0.788) for in-hospital mortality. The incremental prognostic value of LUS when compared with lung crackles or peripheral edema by integrated discrimination improvement was 12.96% (95% CI: 7.0-18.8, P = 0.02). Patients with ≥19 B-lines had a 4-fold higher risk of in-hospital mortality (HR 4.38; 95% CI: 1.37-13.95, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In patients admitted with acute HF, point-of-care LUS measurements of pulmonary congestion (B-lines) are associated with in-hospital mortality.

Weight loss and quality of life in patients surviving 2 years after gastric cancer resection.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition is common in patients undergoing gastric cancer resection, leading to weight loss, although little is known about how this impacts on health-related quality of life (HRQL). This study aimed to explore the association between HRQL and weight loss in patients 2 years after curative gastric cancer resection. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing curative gastric cancer resection and surviving at least 2 years without disease recurrence were recruited. Patients completed the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the specific module for gastric cancer (STO22) before and 2 years postoperatively and associations between HRQL scores and patients with and without ≥ 10% body weight loss (BWL) were examined. RESULTS: A total of 76 patients were included, of whom 51 (67%) had BWL ≥10%. At 2 years postoperatively, BWL ≥10% was associated with deterioration of all functional aspects of quality of life, with persistent pain (21.6%), diarrhoea (13.7%) and nausea/vomiting (13.7%). By contrast, none of the patients with BWL <10% experienced severe nausea/vomiting, pain or diarrhoea. CONCLUSIONS: Disabling symptoms occurred more frequently in patients with ≥10% BWL than in those with <10% BWL, with a relevant negative impact on HRQL. A cause-effect relationship between weight loss and postoperative outcome remains unsolved.

Efficacy of treatment for hyperglycemic crisis in elderly diabetic patients in a day hospital.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this prospective cohort study was to compare the costs of day hospital (DH) care for hyperglycemic crisis in elderly diabetic patients with those of conventional hospitalization (CH). Secondary objectives were to compare these two clinical scenarios in terms of glycemic control, number of emergency and outpatient visits, readmissions, hypoglycemic episodes, and nosocomial morbidity. METHODS: The study population comprised diabetic patients aged >74 years consecutively admitted to a tertiary teaching hospital in Spain for hyperglycemic crisis (sustained hyperglycemia [>300 mg/dL] for at least 3 days with or without ketosis). The patients were assigned to DH or CH care according to time of admission and were followed for 6 months after discharge. Exclusion criteria were ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar crisis, hemodynamic instability, severe intercurrent illness, social deprivation, or Katz index >D. RESULTS: Sixty-four diabetic patients on DH care and 36 on CH care were included, with no differences in baseline characteristics. The average cost per patient was 1,345.1±793.6 € in the DH group and 2,212.4±982.5 € in the CH group (P<0.001). There were no differences in number of subjects with mild hypoglycemia during follow-up (45.3% DH versus 33.3% CH, P=0.24), nor in the percentage of patients achieving a glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) <8% (67.2% DH versus 58.3% CH, P=0.375). Readmissions for hyperglycemic crisis and pressure ulcer rates were significantly higher in the CH group. CONCLUSION: DH care for hyperglycemic crises is more cost-effective than CH care, with a net saving of 1,418.4 € per case, lower number of readmissions and pressure ulcer rates, and similar short-term glycemic control and hypoglycemia rates.

Role of A1c in the postpartum screening of women with gestational diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine whether A1c detects a different prediabetes prevalence in women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) compared to those diagnosed with oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and the influence of haemoglobin concentrations on A1c levels. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: We evaluated carbohydrate metabolism status by performing OGTT and A1c tests in 141 postpartum women with prior GDM in the first year post-delivery. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of prediabetes was 41.8%. Prevalence of isolated A1c 5.7-6.4%, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) was 10.6%, 7.1%, and 9.2%, respectively. Isolated A1c 5.7-6.4% was associated with Caucasian origin (66.7% versus 32.6%, p = 0.02) and with higher LDL cholesterol concentrations (123 ± 28.4 mg/dl versus 101.6 ± 19.2 mg/dl, p = 0.037) compared with patients diagnosed by OGTT (IFG or IGT). Women with postpartum anaemia had similar A1c levels to those with normal haemoglobin concentrations (5.5% ± 0.6% versus 5.4% ± 0.4%, p = 0.237). CONCLUSIONS: Use of A1c in postpartum screening of women with GDM detected an additional 10.6% of patients with prediabetes and a more adverse lipid profile. Haemoglobin concentrations did not influence A1c values.

Impact of restrictive (sleeve gastrectomy) vs hybrid bariatric surgery (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass) on lipid profile.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have evaluated the impact of hybrid versus purely restrictive bariatric surgery on lipid profile, with the results being contradictory. The effect of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) on lipid profile was compared. METHODS: A nonrandomized prospective cohort study was conducted on severely obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Indication for the type of surgical procedure was based on clinical criteria. Patients on lipid-lowering drugs and those that could not be matched for age, sex, and body mass index were excluded. Finally, 51 patients who underwent LSG and 51 undergoing LRYGB completed this study. RESULTS: During the first year post-surgery, no differences in percentage of excess weight loss and triglyceride reduction were found between groups. After LRYGR, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentrations fell significantly (125.9 ± 29.3 to 100.3 ± 26.4 mg/dl, p < 0.001), whereas no significant changes were observed in the LSG group (118.6 ± 30.7 to 114.6 ± 33.5 mg/dl, p = 0.220). High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol increase was significantly greater after LSG (15.4 ± 13.1 mg/dl) compared with LRYGB (9.4 ± 14.0 mg/dl, p = 0.032). Factors independently associated with LDL cholesterol reduction were higher baseline total cholesterol and undergoing LRYGB. A greater increase in HDL cholesterol was associated with LSG, older age, and baseline HDL cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: LRYGB produces an overall improvement in lipid profile, with a clear benefit in all lipid fractions. Although LSG does not alter LDL cholesterol levels, its effect on HDL cholesterol is comparable to or greater than that obtained with malabsorptive techniques.

Risk factors for transient vocal cord palsy after thyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND: Transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy affects to 5-10 per cent of patients after extracapsular thyroidectomy. This prospective study assessed the impact of surgical injury and extralaryngeal branching of the inferior laryngeal nerve (ILN) on vocal cord dysfunction (VCD). METHODS: Total thyroidectomy or lobectomy was performed in 188 patients, with 302 ILNs at risk. The anatomy of the ILN and degree of injury to the nerve, based on the Laryngeal Nerve Injury Score (LNIS), were recorded. Fibreoptic laryngoscopy was performed a mean(s.d.) of 10.6(4.1) days after thyroidectomy. RESULTS: Some 37.4 per cent of ILNs showed extralaryngeal branching. In all, 10.9 per cent of patients developed VCD; 4.3 per cent had paresis and 6.6 per cent paralysis. All paretic and all but one paralytic cords recovered fully after 61(17) days. VCD was more frequently associated with branched than non-branched ILNs (15.8 versus 8.1 per cent; P = 0.022). Injuries were more common in branched nerves (mean(s.e.m.) total LNIS 0.94(0.08) versus 0.51(0.05); P < 0.001). Branched nerves were more likely to be associated with VCD (odds ratio 2.2 (95 per cent confidence interval 1.1 to 4.5)). CONCLUSION: Branched ILNs suffer more surgical injuries and are twice as likely to be associated with VCD.

[Teaching of basic heart-lung reanimation to the general public]. / Enseñanza de la reanimación cardiopulmonar básica en población general.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the efficacy of training in basic paediatric and adult heart-lung reanimation by means of theoretical/practical courses for the general public. DESIGN: Prospective and observational study. SETTING: Chamberi Municipal Health Centre, Madrid. PARTICIPANTS: 360 people aged from 13 to 75. INTERVENTIONS: From 1999 to 2003, 381 people took 26 courses in prevention of accidents and response to them. Theoretical classes in prevention of cardiac/respiratory arrest and in basic heart-lung reanimation (HLR) and practical classes in HLR were given to groups of 5 or 6 students, using dummies of babies, children, and adults. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: At the start and end of the course, 17.2% of the participants were assessed for their theoretical knowledge; and 94.5% had a practical assessment of their HLR skills. At the end of the course all students filled in an anonymous satisfaction questionnaire. RESULTS: In the initial theoretical assessment, the mean score was 3.5+/-1.5 (out of a maximum of 10); in the final assessment, 7.7+/-1.7 (P<.01). 87.2% of participants achieved sufficient practical skills. In the questionnaire, the participants thought the course was very useful for daily life and felt more able to take action. CONCLUSIONS: The basic HLR courses for the general public provide useful theoretical and practical training and manage to improve peoples ability to react correctly and so resolve emergency situations.

[Assessment of prognosis factors in the cure of Cushing's disease surgically treated via a +septotransphenoidal approach]. / Evaluación de los factores pronósticos en la curación de la enfermedad de Cushing intervenida por vía septotransesfenoidal.

INTRODUCTION: In Cushing's disease (CD) pituitary surgery or radiotherapy has been proposed by some authors, when plasmatic cortisol after surgery is not clearly low. AIM: To assess if the different prognostic factors, specially plasmatic cortisol seven days after surgery and/or hypocortisolism phase are predictive of the CD outcome. METHODS: From 1988, 11 women with CD underwent 13 transsphenoidal microsurgery, because two patients relapsed. The mean age of patients was 27 years (11-52). Plasmatic cortisol was measured seven days after pituitary surgery, and since 45 days, every three-six months, basal plasmatic cortisol and after ACTH and urinary free cortisol were determined. RESULTS: Follow-up evaluations ranged from 18-84 months (median, 38 months). After pituitary surgery in 13 cases the cumulative remission was 100%, two cases relapsed. In 10 cases plasmatic cortisol seven days after surgery was less than 137 nmol/l and in three cases higher than 137 nmol/l. Three cases did not presented hypocortisolism phase. The two patients who relapsed, one was after eight months of pituitary surgery an previously showed low plasmatic cortisol and the other relapse 25 months after pituitary surgery without low cortisol plasmatic levels. CONCLUSION: Remission in CD can happen either low or normal plasmatic cortisol levels seven days posttreatment or without hypocortisolism phase. Ours findings ascribe new importance to the different presentations after treatment of CD, and patients with these findings are not a risk for relapse and pituitary surgery or irradiation would not be early indicated.

[The influence of clinical presentation and metabolic control of insulin dependent diabetes in the evolution of residual insulin secretion. A prospective study at five years]. / Influencia de la presentación clínica y del control metabólico de la diabetes insulinodependiente en la evolución de la secreción residual de insulina. Estudio prospectivo a cinco años.

BACKGROUND: To study the influence of clinical, metabolic and immunological parameters during the first years of the evolution of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) on the long-term residual insulin secretion (IS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 186 IDDM subjects diagnosed from 1986 to 1993 were included; 135 subjects have completed a two year follow-up, and 57 have completed a five year follow-up. The influence of individual characteristics at diagnosis (age, sex, clinical presentation, islet-cell antibodies) and during the first two years of follow-up (IS, metabolic control) on IS at five years was evaluated by multiple linear regression. Differences between groups were evaluated by non-parametric tests. RESULTS: 18 patients had a significant insulin secretion at five years (post-glucagon C-peptide > or = 0.15 nmol/l). They showed minor significant differences in sex (77.7 vs 48.7% of males, p = 0.03), duration of symptoms (12.9 vs 7.2 weeks, p = 0.01), ketoacidosis at diagnosis (23.3 vs 46.1%, p = 0.07) and ICA positivity at diagnosis (41.1 vs 69.4%, p = 0.05). They also had a better metabolic control (8.8 vs 10.8% of HbA1, p < 0.001) with lss insulin (0.48 vs 0.71 Ul/kg, p < 0.001) during the first two years of evolution. Initial IS was similar, but differences became significant at 6 months. In the multivariate analysis, only metabolic control during the second year of evolution (p = 0.008), ketoacidosis at diagnosis (p = 0.026) and sex (p = 0.026) had an independent influence on IS at five years. A more intensified therapeutic approach introduced in 1990 induced a better metabolic control and higher IS during the first years of follow-up. CONCLUSION: The absence of ketoacidosis at diagnosis and a good metabolic control during the first two years can have a positive influence in the long-term preservation of IS in IDDM patients.