Performance of serum procalcitonin as a biochemical predictor of death in hematology patients with febrile neutropenia.

INTRODUCTION: Historically, the measurement of serum procalcitonin (PCT) levels in patients with leukopenia has been rejected without sufficient prospective evidence to justify this argument. On the other hand, the accumulated use of broad spectrum antibiotics in these patients and their consequences make the use of PCT attractive in an effort to reduce its use. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective study between 2016 and 2018, recruiting newly diagnosed FN patients, evaluating them with PCT levels during the first 24 h. After this we evaluate them with overall survival throughout the follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 81 episodes of FN in 72 patients were included. We report a mortality of 27.2% in our cohort. The mean serum PCT in these patients was 4.01 ng/mL compared to 0.42 ng/mL in the survivors group (p < 0.01). Using ROC curves, we determined a cut-off point to predict septic shock/death at 0.46 ng/mL. Patients with a procalcitonin >0.46 ng/mL had an increased risk of death, with a HR of 4.43, (p = 0.048). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, in our trial a single PCT on admission at a cut-off value of 0.46 ng/mL was able to predict the occurrence of septic shock and death in FN patients.

Round opacity as a presentation of pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in an HIV-infected patient.

We present the case of a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patient who arrived at our emergency department with fever, headache and exertional dyspnea. Throughout their stay, a chest x-ray was taken and a rounded opacity in his left lung was observed. CT images showed same abnormality and also ground glass opacities were seen. Symptoms and images strongly suggested a pulmonary infection due to pneumocystis jirovecii, however a presence of a round lesion should always lead to neoplasia being suspected. We empirically started treatment based on trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole. Once available, flexible bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage was performed and stained preparations from his respiratory specimens confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary pneumocystis infection. Finally, after 4 days of antibiotic therapy, an important clinical improvement was documented; a new chest x-ray was performed and the previous rounded opacity was absent. This finding strongly suggested a case of round pneumonia.

Global longitudinal strain as a biomarker in diabetic cardiomyopathy. A comparative study with Gal-3 in patients with preserved ejection fraction / Deformación longitudinal global como un biomarcador en miocardiopatía diabética. Estudio comparativo con galectina-3 en pacientes con fracción de eyección preservada

Abstract: Objectives: To establish a relationship between global longitudinal strain (GLS) and Galectin-3 in pre-clinical heart failure in diabetic patients. Galectin-3 is a biomarker in heart failure with depressed ejection fraction (HFdEF). The hypothesis is presented that Galectin-3 is related to GLS and can detect left ventricular dysfunction in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Methods: Galectin-3 and GLS were measured in 121 asymptomatic individuals: 14 diabetics with mild depressed ejection fraction (mdEF) (LVEF 47.0 ± 6.9); 76 diabetics with preserved ejection fraction (LVEF 61 ± 5.5), and 31 controls (61.7 ± 5.1). Results: Galectin-3 was elevated in all diabetics vs controls (3.46 ± 1.36 ng/ml vs 2.78 ± 0.91 ng/ml; p = .003). It was also elevated in mdEF (3.76 ± 1.12 ng/ml vs 2.78 ± 0.9 ng/ml; p = .009) and pEF subjects (3.41 ± 1.40 ng/ml vs 2.78 ± 0.9 ng/ml; p = .058), respectively, vs controls. No difference in Gal-3 was found between diabetic groups (p = .603). Diabetics had lower GLS than controls (-18.5 ± 3.9 vs -20 ± 2.6; p = .022). Diabetics with mdEF had lower GLS than those with pEF (-13.3 ± 3.41 vs -19 ± 3.2; P<.001). There was no difference in GLS with pEF compared to controls (-19.4 ± 3.2 vs -20 ± 2.6; p = .70). Conclusions: Galectin-3 is elevated in diabetic patients with mdEF, and is associated with a diminished GLS. GLS could be an early marker of left ventricular dysfunction as well as evidence of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Resumen: Objetivos: Establecer una asociación entre deformación longitudinal global (DLG) y galectina-3 en insuficiencia cardiaca preclínica en pacientes diabéticos. Galectina-3 es un biomarcador en insuficiencia cardiaca con fracción de eyección deprimida. Nuestra hipótesis es que la DLG y galectina-3 correlacionan y pueden detectar disfunción ventricular en insuficiencia cardiaca con FEVI preservada. Métodos: Se midieron galectina-3 y DLG en 121 individuos asintomáticos: 14 diabéticos con FEVI deprimida leve (FEdl) (FEVI 47 ± 6.9); 76 diabéticos con FEVI preservada (FEp) (FEVI 61 ± 5.5) y 31 sujetos controles (FEVI 61.7 ± 5.1). Resultados: Galectina-3 se encontró elevada en todos los diabéticos vs controles (3.46 ± 1.36 ng/ml vs 2.78 ± 0.91 ng/ml; p = 0.003). Está elevada en sujetos con FEdl (3.76 ± 1.12 vs 2.78 ± 0.9 vs ng/ml p = 0.009) y FEp (3.41 ± 1.40 vs 2.78 ± 0.9 ng/ml p = 0.058), respectivamente vs controles; no encontramos diferencia en galectina-3 en ambos grupos de diabéticos (p = 0.603). Los diabéticos tienen menor DLG que los controles (-18.5 ± 3.9 vs -20 ± 2.6; p = 0.022). Los diabéticos con FEdl tienen DLG más disminuida que aquellos con FEp (-13.3 ± 3.41 vs -19 ± 3.2; p < 0.001). No existe diferencia en DLG con FEp y controles (-19.4 ± 3.2 vs -20 ± 2.6; p = 0.70). Conclusiones: Galectina-3 está elevada en diabéticos con FEdl y correlaciona DLG disminuida. DLG podría ser un marcador temprano de disfunción ventricular y evidencia en miocardiopatía diabética.

Congestive Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction in a Patient with Light Chain (AL) Amyloidosis and Multiple Myeloma.

BACKGROUND Amyloidosis is characterized by tissue deposition of insoluble fibrillar proteins and it affects almost every organ; there are many types and the heart can be affected in all of them. CASE REPORT Our report describes a middle-aged man who presented to the Emergency Department with congestive heart failure. Clinical, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic findings suggested the presence of an infiltrative disease, so an abdominal fat tissue biopsy was performed. A final diagnosis of systemic amyloidosis with heart involvement was made. CONCLUSIONS This case highlights the importance of combining clinical, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic information in the diagnosis of complex diseases like amyloidosis with heart involvement.

Prevalence of comorbidities in Mexican mestizo patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have a high risk for comorbid conditions which increase mortality, hospital admissions, costs of care and inability. To evaluate the prevalence of comorbidities in Mexican mestizo patients with RA and determine the associated risk factors. Cross-sectional study in which RA patients admitted to our outpatient clinic were consecutively enrolled. We collected data regarding demographics, disease characteristics and comorbidities at the time of the patient's visit to the clinic. We analyzed 225 patients. Their mean age was 55.7 ± 8.3 years; disease duration, 9.5 (3.8-15.5) years; female gender, 93.8%; Disease Activity Score using 28 joints-C-reactive protein, 3 (2-4); methotrexate use, 84.9%; use of any other conventional disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug, 65.7%; use of biological agents, 8%. The most frequently associated diseases were: hypertension, 29.8%; dyslipidemia, 27.1%; osteoporosis, 19.1%; diabetes, 12.4%; hypothyroidism, 6.2%; solid malignancies 4.4%. Risk factors were also evaluated, the most prevalent was overweight in 101 (44.9%) of our patients. A total of 71 (31.6%) had obesity. We also detected high blood pressure in 12.4%, hyperglycemia in 27.1% and hyperlipidemia in 49.8%. Due to the high frequency of comorbidities among RA patients, it is important to follow existing recommendations for their timely detection and management. Cardiovascular diseases must be evaluated with priority. The initial evaluation should include a thorough examination to prevent the deleterious effect of comorbidities in RA.