[Prophylaxis of venous thrombosis, yes but...]. / Profilaxis del tromboembolismo venoso, sí pero...

Prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) can be achieved through mechanic or pharmacological means. For the latter, unfractionated low dose heparin, low molecular weight heparins and oral anticoagulants are successfully and widely employed. Results of controlled and uncontrolled studies favour the use of prophylactic heparin in different clinical and surgical conditions such as myocardial infarction, stroke, orthopedic or prolonged surgery and surgical interventions in patients older than forty. Useful parameters to evaluate the results of VTE prophylaxis are discussed as well as timing, duration, effectiveness, side effects and costs of therapy. Although the benefits of VTE prophylaxis in high risk patients are clear, it is not routinely employed in Argentina.

[Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and systemic lupus erythematous. Three cases presenting simultaneously]. / Púrpura trombocitopenica trombótica y lupus eritematoso sistémico. Tres casos con presentación simultánea.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a clinical syndrome characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, fever, neurological symptoms, and renal involvement. The relationship of TTP to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been recognized in the medical literature since 1939. The differential diagnosis is difficult because both diseases have similar clinical features. The mainstay for recognizing TTP in the context of active SLE is the presence of helmet red cells, marked reticulocytosis, and negative direct Coomb's test. We report three female patients with simultaneous presentation of TTP and SLE. We suggest combined treatment with immunosuppressive therapy and plasma exchange using fresh frozen plasma.

Cost implications of malpractice and adverse events.

The ninth most common allegation against hospitals in 1989 was infection/contamination exposure, with the average claim costing nearly $34,000. Most malpractice claims are associated with inpatient surgery, according to 1990 statistics, and the average cost of a claim for infection and contamination related to surgery was over $64,000 in 1990. Physicians currently pay as much as $50,000 annually for malpractice insurance, and hospitals in some major metropolitan areas pay $8,000 per bed for insurance. An estimated 5% of hospitalized patients acquire nosocomial infections at an annual cost of approximately $10 billion. Prolonged hospitalization, usually for parenteral antibiotic treatment, accounts for more than three-fourths of this cost. To reduce the costs of malpractice, nosocomial infections can be prevented through infection-control programs, or damages can be reduced by treating infections with more efficacious and safer drugs that decrease the pain and suffering associated with the infection.

[Bone marrow granulomas]. / Granulomas en medula ósea.

PURPOSE: To evaluate bone marrow granulomatous lesions in order to establish their etiology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 2,250 bone marrow biopsies were studied during the period of March 1983-March 1991. Granulomas and/or granulomatous lesions were found in 24 of them (1.06%). A correlation between histological characteristics, special stains: PAS, Ziehl Neelsen and Grocott and cultures were done. Immunohistochemistry was done to evaluate B or T cell-lineage in 4 patients. RESULTS: The 24 patients were biopsied because of the clinical diagnosis of haematological and non-haematological neoplasias, infections, AIDS, sarcoidosis and fever of unknown origin. Bone marrow cellularity ranged from 20% to 75% (M: 49.8%). Myeloid cells were increased in 54% of the cases. The number of granulomas ranged from 1 to 19 (M: 3.9). The epithelioid cells were the predominant component in 66% of the cases. Of the 7 patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 4 had lymphomatous involvement with granulomatous pattern. These cases showed predominance of lymphoid cells and vessels in addition to epithelioid cells. CONCLUSION: We consider that in order to establish a relationship between infection and granuloma, the identification of a microorganism through a culture is a more reliable test. We couldn't find any morphological characteristic which allowed an etiologic diagnosis of bone marrow granulomas. In case of lesions with a great lymphocytic and vascular proliferation plus the presence of epithelioid cells and fibrosis, NHL with bone marrow involvement with a granulomatous pattern should be strongly considered.

Angiografía pulmonar en un caso de embolia de líquido amniótico y revisión de la literatura / Pulmonary angiography in a case of embolism of amniotic fluid and review of the literature

Se discute el caso de una paciente que, en el puerperio inmediato, presentó shock, insuficiencia respiratoria y coagulación intravascular diseminada, compatible con el diagnóstico de embolia de líquido amniótico. Se efectuó una angiografía pulmonar que demostró la existencia de extensos trombos en las principales ramas de ambas arterias pulmonares. Mediante un catéter "pigtail", se logró el fraccionamiento de los trombos y la recanalización parcial de la luz vascular. La paciente falleció horas más tarde. Palabras clave: Angiografía pulmonar, Embolia líquido amniótico.(AU)

We discuss the case of a patient who, in the puerperium Immediate, presented shock, respiratory failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation, compatible with the diagnosis of fluid embolism amniotic. Pulmonary angiography was performed demonstrated the existence of extensive thrombi in main branches of both pulmonary arteries. Through a pigtail catheter, fractionation was achieved of thrombi and partial recanalization of the vascular light. The patient died hours later. Key words: Pulmonary angiography, Embolism amniotic fluid.

Hemorragias obstétricas graves en el período periparto / Severe obstetric bleeding in the peri-delivery period

Objetivo: Evaluar la morbi-mortalidad actual en un grupo de pacientes con sangrado obstétrico severo en el período periparto. Diseño: Estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo. Marco: División Terapia Intensiva, en una clínica privada. Buenos Aires, Argentina. Pacientes: 45 pacientes gestantes con edad de 33,2ñ4,8 años, ingresadas a partir de marzo de 1991 hasta febrero de 1998. Método y resultados principales: El 64 por ciento de los casos presentaron shock hemorrágico. El promedio de hematíes sedimentados transfundidos fue 7,6ñ6,3 unidades, y el hematocrito alcanzado al cabo de 24-36 horas fue 23,6ñ4,9 por ciento. En 29 enfermas se recurrió a la histerectomía como última medida para controlar el sangrado masivo. Seis pacientes histerctomizadas presentaron hemorragia retro y/o intraperitoneal, debiéndose reintervenir quirúrgicamente a 5 por sangrados persistentes. Este subgrupo requirió mayor número de transfusiones (18ñ8 vs 5ñ8 unidades; p < 0,01). Diecisiete enfermas cursaron con coagulopatía por consumo, de ellas 6 con coagulación intravascular diseminada. Las 45 puérperas sobrevivieron. Conclusiones: 1. Optimo porcentaje de sobrevida materna vinculado con : a) disponibilidad de hemoderivados y resolución de estudios complementarios, y b) actuación de un equipo multidisciplinario. 2. Se aprecia una alta incidencia de histerectomías como última alternativa para controlar las hemorragias