Real-World Evaluation of a Pharmacoinvasive Strategy for STEMI in Latin America: A Cost-Effective Approach with Short-Term Benefits.

Purpose: While pharmacoinvasive strategy (PI) is a safe and effective approach whenever access to primary percutaneous intervention (pPCI) is limited, data on each strategy's economic cost and impact on in-hospital stay are scarce. The objective is to compare the cost-effectiveness of a PI with that of pPCI for the treatment of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in a Latin-American country. Patients and Methods: A total of 1747 patients were included, of whom 470 (26.9%) received PI, 433 (24.7%) pPCI, and 844 (48.3%) NR. The study's primary outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) for PI compared with those for pPCI and non-reperfused (NR), calculated for 30-day major cardiovascular events (MACE), 30-day mortality, and length of stay. Results: For PI, the ICER estimates for MACE showed a decrease of $-35.81/per 1% (95 confidence interval, -114.73 to 64.81) compared with pPCI and a decrease of $-271.60/per 1% (95% CI, -1086.10 to -144.93) compared with NR. Also, in mortality, PI had an ICER decrease of $-129.50 (95% CI, -810.57, 455.06) compared to pPCI and $-165.27 (-224.06, -123.52) with NR. Finally, length of stay had an ICER reduction of -765.99 (-4020.68, 3141.65) and -283.40 (-304.95, -252.76) compared to pPCI and NR, respectively. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that PI may be a more efficient treatment approach for STEMI in regions where access to pPCI is limited or where patient and system delays are expected.

Cost-effectiveness of diagnostic tests during follow-up in lung cancer patients: an evidence-based study.

Background: Many patients with non-metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are cured by surgery but part of them develop recurrence. Strategies are needed to identify these relapses. Currently, there is no consensus on the follow-up schedule after curative resection for patients with NSCLC. The objective of this study is to analyze the diagnostic capacity of the tests performed during follow-up after surgery. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 392 patients with stage I-IIIA NSCLC who underwent surgery. Data were collected from patients diagnosed between January 1st, 2010 and December 31st, 2020. Demographic and clinical data were analyzed, as well as the tests performed during their follow-up. We identified as relevant in the diagnosis of relapses those tests that prompted further investigation and change of treatment. Results: The number of tests matches those included in clinical practice guidelines. A total of 2,049 clinical follow-up consultations were performed, of which 2,004 were scheduled (0.59% informative). A total of 1,796 blood tests were performed, of which 1,756 were scheduled (0.17% informative). A total of 1,940 chest computer tomography (CT) scans were performed, of which 1,905 were scheduled and 128 were informative (6.7%). A total of 144 positron emission tomography (PET)-CT scans were performed, 132 of which were scheduled, of which 64 (48%) were informative. In all cases, the tests performed by unscheduled request exceeded the informative result of the scheduled ones several fold. Conclusions: Most of the scheduled follow-up consultations were not relevant for the patients' management, and only body CT scan exceeded the threshold of 5% profitability, without reaching 10% even in stage IIIA. The profitability of the tests increased when performed in unscheduled visits. New follow-up strategies based on scientific evidence must be defined and follow-up schemes should be tailored focused on agile attention of the unscheduled demand.

Uncontrolled Donation After Circulatory Death: A Unique Opportunity.

Uncontrolled donation after circulatory death (uDCD) refers to donation from persons who die following an unexpected and unsuccessfully resuscitated cardiac arrest. Despite the large potential for uDCD, programs of this kind only exist in a reduced number of countries with a limited activity. Barriers to uDCD are of a logistical and ethical-legal nature, as well as arising from the lack of confidence in the results of transplants from uDCD donors. The procedure needs to be designed to reduce and limit the impact of the prolonged warm ischemia inherent to the uDCD process, and to deal with the ethical issues that this practice poses: termination of advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation, extension of advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation beyond futility for organ preservation, moment to approach families to discuss donation opportunities, criteria for the determination of death, or the use of normothermic regional perfusion for the in situ preservation of organs. Although the incidence of primary nonfunction and delayed graft function is higher with organs obtained from uDCD donors, overall patient and graft survival is acceptable in kidney, liver, and lung transplantation, with a proper selection and management of both donors and recipients. Normothermic regional perfusion has shown to be critical to achieve optimal outcomes in uDCD kidney and liver transplantation. However, the role of ex situ preservation with machine perfusion is still to be elucidated. uDCD is a unique opportunity to improve patient access to transplantation therapies and to offer more patients the chance to donate organs after death, if this is consistent with their wishes and values.

Assessment of Glaucomatous Damage After Boston Keratoprosthesis Implantation Based on Digital Planimetric Quantification of Visual Fields and Optic Nerve Head Imaging.

PURPOSE: To investigate glaucomatous damage in Boston keratoprosthesis type I (KPro) patients through structural analysis of the optic nerve head and digital planimetric quantification of Goldmann visual fields, a novel method of monitoring perimetric changes in KPro patients. METHODS: Records of patients undergoing KPro implantation from 2007 to 2015 at a single institution were reviewed. Parameters related to glaucoma status and KPro outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-two eyes from 21 patients met inclusion criteria, with mean follow-up of 49.4 months (range 15-90). Mean results for the following parameters before KPro implantation and at last follow-up were (pre-KPro; at last follow-up): best-corrected visual acuity (2.07; 0.70 logMAR), number of glaucoma medications (1.14; 1.05), intraocular pressure (IOP) (18.4; 18.4 mm Hg), vertical cup-to-disc ratio (C/D) (0.48; 0.50), and horizontal C/D (0.52; 0.52). IOP-lowering procedures were performed pre-KPro (5/22), concurrently with KPro (10/22), post-KPro (6/22), or never (6/22). An increase in C/D ≥0.1 and loss of V4e isopter area >30% occurred in 22.7% and 12.5%, respectively. Development of post-KPro glaucoma, progression of preexisting or post-KPro glaucoma, and no glaucoma development as evidenced by an objective assessment of structural and functional parameters were seen in 2/22 (9.1%), 7/22 (31.8%), and 6/22 (27.3%) eyes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should strive to vigilantly monitor for glaucoma despite the inherent difficulties in tonometry, optic nerve visualization and imaging, and visual field testing in KPro patients. Meticulous glaucoma surveillance with structural and functional testing combined with earlier IOP-lowering surgical intervention may result in decreased rates of glaucomatous vision loss in KPro patients.

Reperfusion therapy of myocardial infarction in Mexico: A challenge for modern cardiology / La reperfusión en el infarto del miocardio en México: un reto para la cardiología moderna

Abstract: Mexico has been positioned as the country with the highest mortality attributed to myocardial infarction among the members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. This rate responds to multiple factors, including a low rate of reperfusion therapy and the absence of a coordinated system of care. Primary angioplasty is the reperfusion method recommended by the guidelines, but requires multiple conditions that are not reached at all times. Early pharmacological reperfusion of the culprit coronary artery and early coronary angiography (pharmacoinvasive strategy) can be the solution to the logistical problem that primary angioplasty rises. Several studies have demonstrated pharmacoinvasive strategy as effective and safe as primary angioplasty ST-elevation myocardial infarction, which is postulated as the choice to follow in communities where access to PPCI is limited. The Mexico City Government together with the National Institute of Cardiology have developed a pharmaco-invasive reperfusion treatment program to ensure effective and timely reperfusion in STEMI. The model comprises a network of care at all three levels of health, including a system for early pharmacological reperfusion in primary care centers, a digital telemedicine system, an inter-hospital transport network to ensure primary angioplasty or early percutaneous coronary intervention after fibrinolysis and a training program with certification of the health care personal. This program intends to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with myocardial infarction.

Resumen: México se ha posicionado como el país con mayor mortalidad atribuible al infarto del miocardio entre los países de la Organización de Cooperación y Desarrollo Económico. Esta tasa responde a múltiples factores, incluyendo una baja tasa de reperfusión y la ausencia de un sistema único y coordinado para la atención del infarto. Aun cuando la angioplastia es el método de reperfusión recomendado, requiere un sistema coordinado con personal entrenado y recursos materiales, condiciones que no siempre pueden ser alcanzadas. La reperfusión farmacológica temprana, seguida de angiografía coronaria temprana (estrategia farmacoinvasiva) es la solución al problema logístico que representa la angioplastia primaria. Múltiples estudios han demostrado que la estrategia farmacoinvasiva es tan segura y efectiva como la angioplastia primaria en el infarto agudo del miocardio con elevación del segmento ST, y se plantea como la estrategia de elección en comunidades donde el acceso a angioplastia está limitado por factores económicos, geográficos o socioculturales. El gobierno de la Ciudad de México en conjunto con el Instituto Nacional de Cardiología ha desarrollado un programa de estrategia farmacoinvasiva para asegurar la reperfusión temprana en el infarto del miocardio. El modelo comprende una red de atención en los 3 niveles, incluyendo un sistema de reperfusión farmacológica en centros de primer contacto, transferencia de electrocardiogramas mediante telemedicina entre el primer nivel y el Instituto Nacional de Cardiología, una red de transporte interhospitalario y un programa de entrenamiento y educación continua. El objetivo de este programa es reducir la morbilidad y la mortalidad asociadas al infarto del miocardio.

A first survey on the medicinal plants of the Chazuta valley (Peruvian Amazon).

AIM OF THE STUDY: At present, the Peruvian Amazonian district of Chazuta represents one of the main reservoirs of the San Martin Quechuas (also known as Lamas Quechuas) and their culture. These particular Quechuas, as well as the region of Chazuta, have been seldom studied from an academic point of view. With the objective of contributing to the ethnopharmacological knowledge of the area, a field survey on the use of medicinal plants was performed in the region. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The information was obtained through interviews to the 6.3% of the district rural adult population (140 individuals, 75% of which was considered Quechua). RESULTS: In total, the study recorded 945 medicinal use-reports of 289 plant species collected in Chazuta, which belong to 202 genera in 81 families of vascular plants. Mainly, plant remedies were employed to treat musculoskeletal disorders (29.7% of all the medicinal use-reports), gastrointestinal complaints (13.4%) and skin conditions (12.9%). CONCLUSIONS: In Chazuta, medicinal plants are used within a context of a traditional medicine that confronts health and illness from an integral vision, in which the medicinal uses of plants, its combination with lifestyle advice, and its participation in the performance of rituals and other practices concerning to what is often named as "the world of spirits" have to be considered.

[Women's dyspareunia after childbirth: a case study in a hospital in Acapulco, Mexico]. / Dispareunia en mujeres después del parto: estudio de casos y controles en un hospital de Acapulco, México.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the factors associated with dyspareunia, during the 60-180 days following childbirth, in women with a history of one or two childbirths. METHODS: A case study of 304 women, matched by age and parity who visited family planning services in a hospital in Acapulco, State of Guerrero, Mexico, 60-180 days after giving birth. A questionnaire was administered to assess socioeconomic status (age, level of education, partner's level of education, marital status, employment, social security, and homeownership), obstetric history (type of birth, parity, location of the birth, tearing, episiotomy, and complications), and gynecological status (constricted introitus, scar tissue at the episiotomy site, symptoms of vaginitis, vaginal dryness, contraceptive use, and breast feeding duration). Cases were defined as those women who related pain, burning, or bleeding following vaginal intercourse after childbirth. An unconditional logistic regression model was applied and odd ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval were calculated. RESULTS: Of the 368 women who had reinitiated sexual relations, 152 (41.3%) mentioned dyspareunia. The factors associated with dyspareunia were: an infection with or without episiorrhaphy dehiscence (OR=34.09; CI95%: 10.59-109.78); symptoms of vaginitis (OR=7.43; CI95%: 3.68-14.99); tightness in the introitus of the vagina (OR=6.38; CI95%: 2.92-13.94), and breast feeding exclusively (OR=4.86; CI95%: 2.44- 9.69). CONCLUSIONS: Dyspareunia was related to complications with episiotomy and its possible sequelae, such as infection, episiorrhaphy dehiscence, and constricted introitus. More attention should be given to the episiotomy site during the postpartum period and greater selectivity is needed when deciding which women require an episiotomy.

Dispareunia en mujeres después del parto: estudio de casos y controles en un hospital de Acapulco, México / Women’s dyspareunia after childbirth: a case study in a hospital in Acapulco, Mexico

OBJETIVO: Identificar los factores asociados con la dispareunia entre 60 y 180 días después del parto en mujeres con antecedentes de uno o dos partos. MÉTODOS: Estudio de casos y controles, pareados por la edad y la paridad en 304 mujeres que acudieron al servicio de planificación familiar de un hospital de Acapulco, Guerrero, México, entre los 60 y 180 días después del parto. Se aplicó un cuestionario con preguntas sobre su situación socioeconómica (edad, escolaridad propia y de su pareja, estado civil, situación laboral, de seguridad social y de tenencia de su casa) y sus antecedentes obstétricos (características del parto, paridad, lugar de atención, desgarros, episiotomía y complicaciones) y ginecológicos (sensación de estrechez del introito, presencia de cicatriz queloide de la episiorrafia, síntomas de vaginitis, resequedad vaginal, métodos anticonceptivos empleados y tipo y duración de la lactancia). Se consideraron como casos a las mujeres que refirieron dolor, ardor o sangrado al tener relaciones sexuales con penetración vaginal después del parto. Se aplicó un modelo de regresión logística no condicionada y se calcularon las razones de posibilidades (odds ratios, OR) y los intervalos de confianza de 95 por ciento (IC95 por ciento). RESULTADOS: De 368 mujeres que habían reiniciado relaciones sexuales, 152 (41,3 por ciento) refirieron dispareunia. Los factores asociados con dispareunia fueron haber tenido infección con o sin dehiscencia de la episiorrafia (OR = 34,09; IC95 por ciento: 10,59 a 109,78), presentar síntomas de vaginitis (OR = 7,43; IC95 por ciento: 3,68 a 14,99), tener sensación de estrechez del introito vaginal (OR = 6,38; IC95 por ciento: 2,92 a 13,94) y practicar la lactancia exclusiva (OR = 4,86; IC95 por ciento: 2,44 a 9,69). CONCLUSIONES: La dispareunia estuvo relacionada con las complicaciones de la episiotomía y sus posibles secuelas, como la infección, la dehiscencia de la episiorrafia y la estrechez del introito...

OBJECTIVE: To identify the factors associated with dyspareunia, during the 60-180 days following childbirth, in women with a history of one or two childbirths. METHODS: A case study of 304 women, matched by age and parity who visited family planning services in a hospital in Acapulco, State of Guerrero, Mexico, 60-180 days after giving birth. A questionnaire was administered to assess socioeconomic status (age, level of education, partner’s level of education, marital status, employment, social security, and homeownership), obstetric history (type of birth, parity, location of the birth, tearing, episiotomy, and complications), and gynecological status (constricted introitus, scar tissue at the episiotomy site, symptoms of vaginitis, vaginal dryness, contraceptive use, and breast feeding duration). Cases were defined as those women who related pain, burning, or bleeding following vaginal intercourse after childbirth. An unconditional logistic regression model was applied and odd ratios (OR) and 95 percent confidence interval were calculated. RESULTS: Of the 368 women who had reinitiated sexual relations, 152 (41.3 percent) mentioned dyspareunia. The factors associated with dyspareunia were: an infection with or without episiorrhaphy dehiscence (OR = 34.09; CI95 percent: 10.59-109.78); symptoms of vaginitis (OR = 7.43; CI95 percent: 3.68-14.99); tightness in the introitus of the vagina (OR = 6.38; CI95 percent: 2.92-13.94), and breast feeding exclusively (OR = 4.86; CI95 percent: 2.44- 9.69). CONCLUSIONS: Dyspareunia was related to complications with episiotomy and its possible sequelae, such as infection, episiorrhaphy dehiscence, and constricted introitus. More attention should be given to the episiotomy site during the postpartum period and greater selectivity is needed when deciding which women require an episiotomy.