Association between type 2 diabetes and depressive symptoms after a 1-year follow-up in an older adult Mediterranean population.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the cross-sectional association between baseline depressive symptoms and the presence of type 2 diabetes (T2D), and its association with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and other metabolic variables, and the prospective association of depressive symptoms and HbA1c after 1 year of follow-up. METHODS: n = 6224 Mediterranean older adults with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome (48% females, mean age 64.9 ± 4.9 years) were evaluated in the framework of the PREDIMED-Plus study cohort. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II and HbA1c was used to measure metabolic control. RESULTS: The presence of T2D increased the likelihood of higher levels of depressive symptoms (χ2 = 15.84, p = 0.001). Polynomial contrast revealed a positive linear relationship (χ2 = 13.49, p = 0.001), the higher the depressive symptoms levels, the higher the prevalence of T2D. Longitudinal analyses showed that the higher baseline depressive symptoms levels, the higher the likelihood of being within the HbA1c ≥ 7% at 1-year level (Wald-χ2 = 24.06, df = 3, p < .001, for the full adjusted model). Additionally, depressive levels at baseline and duration of T2D predicted higher HbA1c and body mass index, and lower physical activity and adherence to Mediterranean Diet at 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports an association between T2D and the severity of depressive symptoms, suggesting a worse metabolic control from mild severity levels in the short-medium term, influenced by lifestyle habits related to diabetes care. Screening for depressive symptoms and a multidisciplinary integrative therapeutic approach should be ensured in patients with T2D.

Intensive Weight-Loss Lifestyle Intervention Using Mediterranean Diet and COVID-19 Risk in Older Adults: Secondary Analysis of PREDIMED-Plus Trial.

OBJECTIVES: We tested the effects of a weight-loss intervention encouraging energy-reduced MedDiet and physical activity (PA) in comparison to ad libitum MedDiet on COVID-19 incidence in older adults. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of PREDIMED-Plus, a prospective, ongoing, multicentre randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Community-dwelling, free-living participants in PREDIMED-Plus trial. PARTICIPANTS: 6,874 Spanish older adults (55-75 years, 49% women) with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomised to Intervention (IG) or Control (CG) Group. IG received intensive behavioural intervention for weight loss with an energy-reduced MedDiet intervention and PA promotion. CG was encouraged to consume ad libitum MedDiet without PA recommendations. MEASUREMENTS: COVID-19 was ascertained by an independent Event Committee until December 31, 2021. COX regression models compared the effect of PREDIMED-Plus interventions on COVID-19 risk. RESULTS: Overall, 653 COVID-19 incident cases were documented (IG:317; CG:336) over a median (IQR) follow-up of 5.8 (1.3) years (inclusive of 4.0 (1.2) years before community transmission of COVID-19) in both groups. A significantly lowered risk of COVID-19 incidence was not evident in IG, compared to CG (fully-adjusted HR (95% CI): 0.96 (0.81,1.12)). CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence to show that an intensive weight-loss intervention encouraging energy-reduced MedDiet and PA significantly lowered COVID-19 risk in older adults with overweight/obesity and metabolic syndrome in comparison to ad libitum MedDiet. Recommendations to improve adherence to MedDiet provided with or without lifestyle modification suggestions for weight loss may have similar effects in protecting against COVID-19 risk in older adults with high cardiovascular risks.

Implementation of the use of SPECT-portable for evaluation of surgical margins in breast cancer with indication of ROLL: First results.

OBJECTIVES: Main objective: To compare the effectiveness for checking surgical margins between SPECT-portable and mammography of the piece (RxM). SECONDARY OBJECTIVE: To standardize a pre-operative protocol using SPECT-portable and to evaluate the time required in the use of this technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective longitudinal study with 36 patients (39 lesions) diagnosed with breast cancer (CM) with criteria for SNOLL/ROLL. A pre-surgical study of the tumor lesion was performed, after the eco-guided administration of 99mTc-nanocolloids of albumin/99mTc-macroaggregates of albumin, in the tumor lesion. Hybrid images (optical + SPECT) and 3D navigation images with gamma probe are obtained using freehandSPECT. In the operating room, 4-5 images are obtained with freehandSPECT, (I) on skin for tumor location, (II) after exposure of surgical bed for resection guide, (III) of the surgical bed after exeresis, (IV and V) the anterior-posterior and lateral surface of the surgical specimen. The three criteria to decide to extend the margins are: (a) residual activity (cps) at the edges of the surgical bed resection; (b) visual analysis of the uptake in the specimen; (c) a minimum distance of 10 mm from the edges of the specimen to the center of greatest uptake, plus the radius of the lesion. We study the concordance of: the depth measurement between ultrasound and freehandSPECT; the surgical margins between freehandSPECT vs. mammography of the specimen (RxM), considering anatomical pathology (AP) as the gold standard technique as reference; surgical time used with freehandSPECT and RxM. RESULTS: Intraoperative localization was performed in all cases. False negative (FN: no detection margin affected) with freehandSPECT: 9 margins; with RxM: 8. True positive (TP: detection margin affected) with freehandSPECT: 5 margins, with RxM: 6. True negative (TN: consider free margin when healthy) with freehandSPECT: 213 margins; with RxM: 196. Negative predictive value (NPV: probability of negative margin on unaffected part) with freehandSPECT: 95.9%, with RxM: 96.07%. Specificity with freehandSPECT: 96.8%, with RxM: 97%. The concordance of surgical bed margins between freehandSPECT and RxM: 94.5%. Between freehandSPECT and AP: 93.1%. Between RxM and PA: 93.5%, being all statistically significant (p-value <0.000), so we can affirm that both techniques are related or dependent on the reference technique, the PA. Degree of correlation between SPECT-portable and low PA (Kappa index: 0.34, 95% CI [0.22-0.47], and between RxM and moderate PA (Kappa index: 0.42, 95% CI [0.29-0.56], p-value <0.001. Comparison of the successes and failures of both techniques (SPECT-portable and RxM) and PA: Distribution χ2: 0.023 with degree of freedom 1, with value <0.05, so we can affirm that both techniques are similar, since there are no significant statistical differences. Median total OR time: 60.25 min (30-145). Mean freehandSPECT OR time: 5 scans = 10 min. CONCLUSIONS: There are no statistically significant differences in the probability to rule out affective margins that require a second surgery between both techniques (SPECT-portable and RxM) so, the technique performed with SPECT-Portable is a useful and effective procedure, which requires specific training with an optimized and multidisciplinary protocol. The time spent with SPECT-portable is feasible for daily practice.

[People's perceptions with motor disabilities of rehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic]. / Percepciones sobre la rehabilitación durante la pandemia por COVID-19 de las personas con discapacidad motora.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The World Health Organization declared COrona VIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19) a pandemic and recommended social distancing as a preventive measure. This affected all medical-clinical treatments, including those related to the physical rehabilitation process. The objective was to describe the perceptions about the rehabilitation process due to the modifications experienced by people with motor disabilities in a rehabilitation hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Qualitative design. The sample chosen was for convenience and the data analysis was by thematic analysis, which allows to identify, analyze and report themes. The interviews were conducted with patients seen in the physiotherapy división of the hospital. INCLUSION CRITERIA: adults >18 years old, diagnosis of motor disability, undergoing physical treatment ≥1 month on an outpatient basis, with early discharge from hospitalization or hospitalization at the time of the study and signing of the informed consent. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: physical discharge for reasons other than COVID-19 and diagnosis of psychiatric illness. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 16 participants. 31.2% were female. Twelve presented various neurological alterations and 4 amputation effects. Four main themes were identified: importance of rehabilitation, treatment modifications/interruption, activities of daily living and tele-rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: Perceptions about the rehabilitation process and the impact on the modifications experienced in people with motor disabilities were described. We highlight the importance of tele-rehabilitation as an alternative resource.

Safety and immunogenicity of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in infants: a meta-analysis.

Pneumococcal infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines represent major progress in the prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease in the paediatric population. We performed a meta-analysis, in accordance with the PRISMA statement, in order to assess the immunogenicity and safety of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccines in infants. A literary search was conducted using electronic databases and specialized journals were searched manually. Inclusion criteria were: clinical trials with infants vaccinated with 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate, compared to 7-valent vaccine. We recorded the results in terms of the immunogenicity and safety of the vaccines. The quality of the studies included was assessed using the CASP and Jadad checklists. We included nine randomized clinical trials of 258 potentially relevant references in the meta-analysis. The studies included had high-moderate quality. Both vaccines were well tolerated in all groups of infants, and most local reactions and systemic events were of mild or medium intensity and typical of any injected vaccine. All studies included in the meta-analysis showed high immunogenicity for both pneumococcal vaccines in all tested serotypes. An anti-polysaccharide antibody concentration of ≥0.35 µg/mL was achieved in at least 89% of the infants. Our results suggest that the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine has a similar safety profile, and is as effective as, the 7-valent vaccine in the prevention of invasive pneumococcal disease caused by the seven common serotypes, and could provide expanded protection against the six additional serotypes.

[Assessment of the MF59-adjuvanted pandemic influenza A/H1N1 vaccine. Systematic review of literature]. / Evaluación de la vacuna pandémica antigripal A/H1N1 adyuvada MF59. Revisión sistemática de la literatura.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of MF59-adjuvanted pandemic influenza A/H1N1 vaccine in children. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed after searching the MedLine and Embase electronic databases, and manual search in specialties journals, with MeSH terms and and free terms. Inclusion criteria were clinical trials with children vaccinated with MF59-adjuvanted influenza A/H1N1 vaccine, compared with other vaccines doses with/without MF59-adjuvanted. The immunogenicity and safety of the vaccine was recorded. The quality of the studies included was assessed by CASPe checklist. RESULTS: Four clinical trials with moderate quality were selected. The local and systemic adverse effects were rare and mild, with no differences between groups. Seroconversion and seroprotection levels were higher with MF59-adjuvanted vaccines. Antibody titres were also higher with the adjuvant vaccines. CONCLUSIONS: The adjuvant vaccine has a good efficacy and safety profile. The adverse effects that may occur are common and appear similarly in both vaccination groups.

Oropharyngeal airway dimensions after treatment with functional appliances in class II retrognathic children.

Class II skeletal malocclusion and respiratory disorders owing to the obstruction of the upper airway at early growth stages have been correlated. The retro/micrognathism can be treated with functional appliances. However, the effects of an early functional orthopedic treatment on the airway dimensions have not been evaluated before the growth peak. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in the airway dimensions of class II retrognathic children who received treatment with either Klammt or Bionator on a pre-pubertal stage. The sample consisted of 50 lateral cephalograms of class II retrognathic patients in a pre-puberal stage, before and after the use of a Klammt or Bionator II treatment for 1 year. The data were evaluated by Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney test, and significance was set at 5% (P < 0·05). When the measurements before and after treatment were compared, a statistically significant increase in the airway dimensions was found at the space where the adenoid tissue was located. The only airway dimensions that increased after treatment with functional appliances were the ones located at the nasopharynx. The adenoid tissue is still in the peak of growing at the ages of the subjects included in this study. However, the measurements along the nasopharynx increased when compared with the initial ones. Still, similar retrospective and prospective studies are needed at older stages.

[Erectile dysfunction in patients with prostate cancer who have undergone surgery: Systematic review of literature]. / Disfunción eréctil en pacientes intervenidos de cáncer de próstata. Revisión sistemática de la literatura médica.

OBJECTIVE: To assess erectile dysfunction in patients with prostate cancer undergoing surgery by radical prostatectomy, laparoscopic prostatectomy or robotic prostatectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Systematic Review of literature based on a search strategy (2000-10) in MedLine, Embase, Cochrane Library, CRD, ECRI, and Hayes. Mesh terms used were Prostatectomy, "Prostatic Neoplasm, Transuretral Resection Prostate, Impotence and as free terms erectile dysfunction and prostatectomy. Studies included patients with prostate cancer underwent by prostatectomy radical with open surgery (retropubic), laparoscopic or robotic surgery. RESULTS: Ten observational studies with moderate quality and 29 case series with low quality were selected. Observational studies showed lower percentages of erectile dysfunction after intervention in the patients underwent robotic surgery (3-51%). Radical surgery (36-91%) and laparoscopic surgery showed higher values of impotence. In the studies that compared surgery versus radiotherapy, the results were better for radiotherapy (3-72% erectile dysfunction). In the case series, lower percentages of erectile dysfunction were shown in patients underwent to robotic surgery (22%), the following was for laparoscopic surgery (40%) and open radical prostatectomy (41.4%). CONCLUSIONS: This result should be considered with caution because of the low methodological quality of the studies included. However, the different surgical techniques assessed showed similar effects in the two types of studies included and we found that robotic surgery presented lower percentages of sexual impotence.

[Assessment of the PCA3 test for prostate cancer diagnosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis]. / Evaluación del test PCA3 para el diagnóstico de cáncer de próstata: revisión sistemática y metanálisis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of diagnostic techniques based on PCA3 gene for early detection of prostate cancer. We carried out a systematic review of scientific literature and subsequent meta-analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A literature search (2000-09) in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CRD, ECRI, Hayes databases and journals of Cancer and Urology. MESH terms used were "Prostatic Neoplasms", Prostate-Specific Antigen", "Antigens, Neoplasm", "Sensitivity and Specificity", "Predictive Value of Tests", and free terms "upm3", "PCA3", "dd3", "aptima PCA3" and "prostate cancer antigen 3". Patients were adults. The intervention was to determine the PCA3 gene, from urine samples for diagnosis of prostate cancer. The quality of the studies was checked according to QUADAS criteria. We calculated diagnostic accuracy rates and developed a meta-analysis to synthesize results. RESULTS: 14 studies of diagnostic tests were selected, with moderate-high quality. The sensitivity was between 46.9% and 82.3%, specificity ranged from 56.3% to 89%, positive predictive value had a range of 59.4-97.4% and negative predictive value 87.8-98%. The meta-analysis detected the existence of a threshold effect and heterogeneity between studies. Global sensitivity values was 0.85 [CI 0.84-0.87], specificity 0.96 [CI 0.96-0.97], positive likelihood ratio 22.21 [CI 15.12-32.63], and negative of 0.15 [CI 0.13-0.18]. CONCLUSIONS: Detection techniques have acceptable diagnostic accuracy rates for using in the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Potential prebiotic activity of oligosaccharides obtained by enzymatic conversion of durum wheat insoluble dietary fibre into soluble dietary fibre.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Epidemiological evidence indicates that cereal dietary fibre (DF) may have several cardiovascular health benefits. The underlying mechanisms have not yet been elucidated. Here, the potential nutritional effects of physico-chemical properties modifications of durum wheat dietary fibre (DWF) induced by enzyme treatment have been investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: The conversion of the highly polymerised insoluble dietary fibre into soluble feruloyl oligosaccharides of DWF was achieved by a tailored enzymatic treatment. The in vitro fermentation and release of ferulic acid by intestinal microbiota from DWF before and after the enzymatic treatment were assessed using a gut model validated to mimic the human colonic microbial environment. Results demonstrated that, compared to DWF, the enzyme-treated DWF (ET-DWF) stimulated the growth of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. Concurrently, the release of free ferulic acid by ET-DWF was almost three times higher respect to the control. No effect on the formation of short chain fatty acids was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The conversion of insoluble dietary fibre from cereals into soluble dietary fibre generated a gut microbial fermentation that supported bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. The concurrent increase in free ferulic acid from the enzyme-treated DWF might result in a higher plasma ferulic acid concentration which could be one of the reasons for the health benefits reported for dietary fibre in cardiovascular diseases.

Statistical analysis of the breaking processes of Ni nanowires.

We have performed a massive statistical analysis on the breaking behaviour of Ni nanowires using molecular dynamic simulations. Three stretching directions, five initial nanowire sizes and two temperatures have been studied. We have constructed minimum cross-section histograms and analysed for the first time the role played by monomers and dimers. The shape of such histograms and the absolute number of monomers and dimers strongly depend on the stretching direction and the initial size of the nanowire. In particular, the statistical behaviour of the breakage final stages of narrow nanowires strongly differs from the behaviour obtained for large nanowires. We have analysed the structure around monomers and dimers. Their most probable local configurations differ from those usually appearing in static electron transport calculations. Their non-local environments show disordered regions along the nanowire if the stretching direction is [100] or [110]. Additionally, we have found that, at room temperature, [100] and [110] stretching directions favour the appearance of non-crystalline staggered pentagonal structures. These pentagonal Ni nanowires are reported in this work for the first time. This set of results suggests that experimental Ni conducting histograms could show a strong dependence on the orientation and temperature.

[Evolution of lung cancer in the North of the province of Castellón, Spain, 1993-2002]. / Evolución del carcinoma broncopulmonar en el norte de la provincia de Castellón, 1993-2002.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes in lung cancer incidence, histological type, and survival in patients in the north of the province of Castellón, Spain, during a follow-up period of 10 years, and to compare the findings with other national and international studies. PATIENTS AND METHOD: All patients diagnosed with lung cancer between January 1, 1993 and December 31, 2002 were included in this prospective, observational study. Disease was confirmed by biopsy or suspected from clinical, radiological, and/or bronchoscopic findings. RESULTS: In the study period, 271 patients were diagnosed with lung cancer (239 men and 32 women), with a mean (SD) age of 66.8 (11.8) years. The age-adjusted incidence rate standardized to the world population was 20.42 cases per 100,000 population. Smokers or ex-smokers comprised 88.1% of the study population, and 72.6% of patients were over 60 years old. Biopsy confirmation was obtained in 262 cases (96.7%). Squamous cell carcinoma predominated (46.5%) but the proportion of adenocarcinoma increased (23.6%). Surgery was possible in only 22% of the patients. Mean overall 5-year survival was 15.7 months. CONCLUSIONS: In the north of the province of Castellón, the incidence of lung cancer continues to increase in men but has decreased slightly in women. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type, but the incidence of adenocarcinoma has clearly increased. Overall, survival did not improve during the 10 years of follow up despite advances in treatment.

[Epidemiological study of lung cancer in the northern part of the province of Castellón]. / Estudio epidemiológico del cáncer de pulmón en el norte de la provincia de Castellón.

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the incidence and survival of bronchopulmonary carcinoma in the northern part of the Spanish province of Castellón while collecting other epidemiologic data. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective, observational study enrolled all patients residing habitually in northern Castellón with diagnoses of bronchopulmonary carcinoma recorded from 1 January 1993 until 31 December 1997. Enrollment criteria were cytohistologic confirmation of diagnosis or suspicion based on clinical, radiologic and/or bronchoscopic data. RESULTS: One hundred eighteen patients (100 men, 18 women) were so diagnosed, giving a world population-adjusted incidence of 17.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (men: 31.2; women: 4.5). Smokers or ex-smokers accounted for 84.7% and 74.5% were over 60 years of age. Cytohistologic confirmation was obtained for 117 patients (99%). Epidermoid carcinoma predominated (58%) and surgery was performed in only 23% of the cases. Only one patient was lost to follow-up during the study period. Mean 5-year survival was 7.6%. CONCLUSIONS: The standardized incidence of bronchopulmonary carcinoma in 1993-1997 in the northern part of Castellón was 17.4 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (women: 31.2; women: 4.5), with epidermoid carcinoma predominating and a five-year survival rate of 7.6%.

Características y prevalencia de neoplasias malignas del tracto gastrointestinal en el Departamento de Antioquia, segundo semestre de 1996 / Characteristics and prevalence of malignant neoplasia in the gastrointestinal tract in Antioquia state, second semester 1996

Por medio de un estudio descriptivo, prospectivo y en un periodo de 6 meses (junio 1º a noviembre 30ª de 1998), la unidad de análisis la constituyen las solicitudes de estudio anatomopatológicos y el informe de anatomía patológica de los laboratorios tanto públicos como privados. Con base a estos resultados se estimó la prevalencia y tipo de neoplasias del tracto gastrointestinales en el departamento de Antioquia. Se encontró una incidencia de 6 x 100.000 habitantes, con una prevalencia por sexo de 7 x 100.000 hombres (172 casos) y 5 x 100.000 mujeres (144 casos). Lo que da una relación hombre – mujer de 1.2 1 respectivamente. Solo en 172 (54.4 por ciento) casos se especificó la edad. De estos, el grupo mas comprometido fue el de 61 – 70 años se presentaron 5 casos (2,9 por ciento) de los cuales 4 fueron en hombres. En sólo 143 casos (45 por ciento) se especificó hallazgo esdoscópico, el que mas predominio fue el carcinoma (37,7 por ciento), seguido por ulcera (35.6 por ciento9. la lesión neoplásica que más se encontró fue el adenocarcinoma (37,7 por ciento), seguido por úlcera (35.6 por ciento). la lesión neoplásica que más se encontró fue el adenocarcinoma (85 por ciento), localizado principalmente en el estómago (52.8 por ciento del total), seguido de cáncer (ca) epidermoide (5.6 por ciento) (localizado principalmente en el esófago (4.4 por ciento del total)), linfoma (2.2 por ciento) y otros (7.2 por ciento).el carcinoma invasor fue el estadio que tuvo mayor predominio (88.3), seguido por el sin situ (7.4 por ciento) y el temprano (4.4 por ciento).

[Superior vena cava syndrome as initial manifestation of acute aortic dissection: a case report and review of the literature]. / Síndrome de vena cava superior como primera manifestación de una disección aórtica aguda: presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

Aortic dissection usually presents with chest pain, abnormal pulses and a widened mediastinum on chest radiograph. It is rarely associated with the superior vena cava syndrome as the first manifestation. This paper presents a patient who had a superior vena cava syndrome as a result of a painless aortic dissection and compared with other previously reported cases.

[Disease of the left coronary trunk. Our experience. An analysis of surgical morbimortality]. / Enfermedad del tronco de la coronaria izquierda. Nuestra experiencia. Análisis de la morbimortalidad operatoria.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The superiority of surgical treatment over other procedures in the left main coronary artery stenosis is well known, being today the therapy of choice. The purpose of this work is to analyze the clinical characteristics and the immediate results of surgery in our patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this paper we under-took a retrospective study of 147 consecutive patients, 129 men and 18 women with a 50% or more left main coronary artery stenosis without associated valvular disease, operated on at our institution during a period of 3.5 years, between January 1992 and May 1995. Thirty-one variables were analyzed under Chi-square, comparison of proportions and Student's t-tests. Then, it has been developed into a multivariant logistic regression of significant variables (p less than 0.05) of factors influencing mortality and rhythm disturbances which have been the most frequent postoperative complication. RESULTS: The mean age was 65 years. Sixty-two per cent had unstable angina and 51.7% had previous myocardial infarction. An average of 3.1 grafts were performed. Total mortality was 6.8%. The complications were 17% arrhythmias, 8% low cardiac output and 6% perioperative myocardial infarction. In the multivariate analysis, mortality has been strongly related to the presence of perioperative myocardial infarction and also with moderate to severe cardiomegaly and a high left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. Arrhythmias were related to an advanced age. CONCLUSIONS: 1) In hospital mortality remains within acceptable limits and is influenced by the presence of perioperative myocardial infarction, cardiomegaly and a high left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, and 2) elderly patients have more damaged vessels, more diseased coronary segments, and more complications, especially rhythm disturbances.

[Etiologic considerations regarding superior vena cava syndrome]. / Consideraciones etiológicas sobre el síndrome de vena cava superior.

Literature review indicates a change in the etiological trends of the Superior Cava Syndrome. While during the first half of the twentieth century, aortic aneurysms, malignant tumors and mediastinitis were its main causes, nowadays talking about obstruction of the superior cava is the same than talking about obstruction secondary to a malignant cause (85-90%). Benign affections account for 10-15% and, among them, intravenous iatrogenic foreign bodies constitute a new chapter as cause of thrombosis. Given that small cells simplex carcinoma is the most common cause of SCS and given that benign processes or other chemosensitive tumors can be present, it is currently necessary to secure the histologic diagnosis before starting the treatment.