RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Pain in cancer patients has enormous impact on their quality-of-life. Radiation therapy (RT) is a cornerstone in cancer treatment. The objective of the PREDORT study is to estimate the prevalence of pain in patients attending at Radiation Oncology (RO) Services. METHODS: A prospective, multicenter study was designed for patients treated at the RO Services of reference hospitals. Patients were seen in their initial Nursing consultation, during which key data was collected, including demographic and comorbidities data, medical history, and oncological and pain characteristics. The study has received approval from the Ethics Committee of Navarra, and all patients signed the Informed Consent. RESULTS: Of the 860 participating patients, 306 reported some type of pain, which implies a prevalence of 35.6%. Of them, 213 identified a cause of oncological origin. The proportion of pain was similar among sexes, but the proportion of non-cancer pain was higher among women (p < 0.05). Regarding pain intensity, the magnitude of breakthrough pain in patients with oncological pain is nearly 1 point greater than in patients with non-oncological pain (7.53 vs 6.81; p = 0.064). Cancer pain is more likely to be limiting of normal life than non-cancer pain (59% versus 38%, p < 0.001). Regarding analgesic treatment, only 60/306 patients (19.6%) were receiving strong opioids. There were 68 patients with pain without any treatment (22.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of pain in cancer patients referred to RO services is 35.6%, with the prevalence of exclusively oncological pain being 24.8%. Understanding and addressing oncological pain is essential to provide comprehensive care to patients.
RESUMO
ABSTRACT Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) in radiology has improved diagnostic performance and shortened reading times of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients studies. Objectives: The objectives pf the study were to analyze the performance of a chest computed tomography (CT) AI quantitative algorithm for determining the risk of mortality/mechanical ventilation (MV) in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and explore a prognostic multivariate model in a tertiary-care center in Mexico City. Methods: Chest CT images of 166 COVID-19 patients hospitalized from April 1 to 20, 2020, were retrospectively analyzed using AI algorithm software. Data were collected from their medical records. We analyzed the diagnostic yield of the relevant CT variables using the area under the ROC curve (area under the curve [AUC]). Optimal thresholds were obtained using the Youden index. We proposed a predictive logistic model for each outcome based on CT AI measures and predetermined laboratory and clinical characteristics. Results: The highest diagnostic yield of the assessed CT variables for mortality was the percentage of total opacity (threshold >51%; AUC = 0.88, sensitivity = 74%, and specificity = 91%). The AUC of the CT severity score (threshold > 12.5) was 0.88 for MV (sensitivity = 65% and specificity = 92%). The proposed prognostic models include the percentage of opacity and lactate dehydrogenase level for mortality and troponin I and CT severity score for MV requirement. Conclusion: The AI-calculated CT severity score and total opacity percentage showed good diagnostic accuracy for mortality and met MV criteria. The proposed prognostic models using biochemical variables and imaging data measured by AI on chest CT showed good risk classification in our population of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
RESUMO
Resumen Antecedentes: La estenosis aórtica es una de las valvulopatías más frecuentes en el paciente mayor. Su tratamiento es la cirugía de corazón, sin embargo, muchos pacientes no se benefician de este tratamiento por considerarse de alto riesgo quirúrgico o inoperables. Para estos últimos pacientes se desarrolló el implante de válvula aórtica transcatéter (TAVI). Objetivo: Dar a conocer la factibilidad y seguridad de otras vías de acceso para la implantación de válvulas aórticas transcatéter y que además se puede realizar en el laboratorio de hemodinámica. Además de un rápido crecimiento en tecnología y conocimientos, actualmente ya se tiene mucha experiencia con TAVI. Metodología: Una de las limitantes es el diámetro de los accesos vasculares femorales, subclavio y axilar. Es por esto por lo que se buscan otros accesos como el aórtico directo, a pesar del carácter invasivo de la minitoracotomía y aortotomía es técnicamente factible, familiar y fácil de aprender para los cirujanos cardíacos. Resultado: Se ha asociado con resultados favorables y una menor tasa de complicaciones (sangrado, riesgo de lesión miocárdica) y menor duración de la estancia en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos en comparación con la cirugía o el acceso transapical. Conclusión: Nuestro centro implantó con éxito la válvula aórtica autoexpandible Evolut vía aórtica directa por presentar una disección en la aorta transversa con posibilidades de embolización.
Abstract Background: Aortic stenosis is one of the most frequent valvulopathies in the elderly patient. The treatment for aortic stenosis is heart surgery, however many patients do not benefit from this treatment because they are considered to be at high surgical or inoperable risk. Transcatheter aortic valve (TAVI) was developed for these patients. Objective: To make known the feasibility and safety of other access routes for the implantation of transcatheter aortic valves and that it can also be performed in the hemodynamic laboratory. In addition to rapid growth in technology and know-how, TAVI is already very experienced. Methodology: One of the limitations is the diameter of the femoral, subclavian, and axillary vascular accesses. This is why other approaches such as the direct aortic approach are sought, despite the invasive nature of mini-thoracotomy and aortotomy is technically feasible, familiar and easy to learn for cardiac surgeons. Results: In addition, it has been associated with favorable outcomes and a lower rate of complications (bleeding, risk of myocardial injury) and shorter length of stay in the Intensive Care Unit compared to surgery or transapical access. Conclusion: Our center successfully implanted the self-expandable aortic valve Evolut via direct aortic for presenting a dissection in transverse aorta with possibilities of embolization.