Prevention of contrast induced nephropathy with sodium bicarbonate (the PROMEC study).

INTRODUCTION: Contrast-induced nephropathy is a common complication of radiographic procedures. Different measures have been used to avoid this damage, but the evidence is controversial. New investigations are required to clarify it. We investigated the efficacy and safety of sodium bicarbonate solution compared with sodium chloride solution to prevent contrast induced nephropathy in patients with or at risk of renal dysfunction. METHODS: A prospective, single-center, randomized clinical trial conducted from May 1, 2007 to February 8, 2008. Inpatients in a tertiary center, scheduled to undergo a procedure with the nonionic radiographic contrast agent iohexol. There were 220 patients with serum creatinine levels of at least 1.2 mg/dL (106.1 µmol/L) and/or type 2 diabetics, who were randomized to receive an infusion of sodium chloride (n = 113) or sodium bicarbonate (n = 107) before and after contrast dye administration. The intervention were "A" group received 1 ml/kg/hour of normal saline solution, starting 12 hours before and continuing 12 hours after iohexol contrast. "B" group received 3 ml/kg of sodium bicarbonate solution (150 mEq/L) one hour prior to procedure and then drip rate was decreased to 1 ml/kg/hour until 6 hours post procedure. Our main outcome measure was change in serum creatinine. RESULTS: The mean creatinine value after the procedure was 1.26 mg/dL in the saline group and 1.22 mg/dL in the bicarbonate group (mean difference: 0.036; CI 95%: -0.16 to 0.23, p = 0.865). The diagnosis of contrast-induced nephropathy, defined by increase in serum creatinine on 25% or more within 2 days after administration of radiographic contrast, was done in twelve patients (12%) in the bicarbonate group and eighth patients (7.1%) in the saline group (RR: 1.68, CI 95%: 0.72 to 3.94). CONCLUSION: Our investigation showed that there were no differences between normal saline solution (extended infusion) vs. bicarbonate solution for nephroprotection.

A lost cable: «reel¼ syndrome / Un cable suelto: síndrome del «carrete¼

Abstract: Lead dislodgement syndromes (twiddler, ratchet or reel syndromes) are rare causes of cardiac stimulation device malfunction that can occur most commonly early after device implantation. In most cases, lead replacement (due to extensive damage) or reposition (due to displacement) is needed. We present a case of reel syndrome involving the left ventricular lead of a (AU)

Resumen: Los síndromes de desprendimiento de los cables (síndrome de "tweedler", trinquete o carrete) son causas raras de disfunción del dispositivo de estimulación cardiaca, que generalmente ocurren en el periodo temprano después del implante. En la mayoría de los casos, se requiere el reemplazo del cable (debido a daños extensos) o el reposicionamiento (debido al desplazamiento). Presentamos un caso de síndrome del carrete que involucra de manera exclusiva el cable ventricular izquierdo de un dispositivo de resincronización-desfibrilador cardiaco.(AU)

Caracterización clínica y por imágenes de pacientes con el ventrículo izquierdo no compacto / Imaging clinical characterization of patients with left ventricular noncompaction

Objetivos: El ventrículo izquierdo no compacto es cada vez más diagnosticado en el mundo con impacto significativo en la morbimortalidad. No existen registros en el medio local que describan el perfil de los pacientes afectados. El objetivo es describir las características: demográficas, clínicas e imagenológicas de los pacientes diagnosticados con el ventrículo izquierdo no compacto en un registro regional. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo de corte transversal que incluyó pacientes con sospecha del ventrículo izquierdo no compacto por la ecocardiografía y confirmación con la resonancia magnética contrastada. Se evaluaron las historias clínicas e imágenes de los pacientes obtenidas desde el año 2006 hasta el año 2013. Se analizan las características: demográficas, clínicas e imagenológicas. La caracterización anatómica y la fracción de eyección se basaron en la resonancia magnética contrastada. Resultados: Fueron incluidos 33 pacientes con diagnóstico del ventrículo izquierdo no compacto por la resonancia magnética contrastada. El promedio de edad fue 21,9 ± 19,8 años, siendo la población pediátrica la más representativa (30,3% de 1 a 10 años y 30,3% de 11 a 20 años). Hubo concordancia diagnóstica entre la ecocardiografía y la resonancia magnética contratada del 63,6%; los síntomas más frecuentes fueron: la disnea, el dolor torácico y las palpitaciones (78,8, 36,4 y 33,3%, respectivamente). La insuficiencia cardiaca fue el síndrome prevalente al diagnóstico (51,5%). La mayoría de los pacientes tenían fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo £40% (57,6%), fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo normal el 21,2%. Las paredes apicolaterales fueron las más comprometidas (48,3%). Los síntomas y la presencia de embolismo tuvieron relación con la severidad de la disfunción sistólica. Conclusiones: El ventrículo izquierdo no compacto es un diagnóstico cada vez más frecuente en el medio local y su presentación y evolución son similares a series de otros países. La sospecha de la ecocardiografía guarda correlación con los hallazgos en la resonancia magnética. El diagnóstico suele hacerse en infantes y adolescentes en estadios avanzados.

Motivation: Left ventricular noncompation is increasingly diagnosed in the world, with a significant impact on morbidity and mortality. There is no local register describing the profile of affected patients. The goal is to describe demographic, clinical and imaging characteristics of patients diagnosed with left ventricular noncompaction in a regional register. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study including patients with left ventricular noncompaction suspicion due to an echocardiogram, confirmed with a magnetic resonance with contrast. Patients’ medical records and images obtained between 2006 and 2013 were assessed. Demographic, clinical and imaging characteristics were analyzed. Anatomical characterization and ejection fraction were based on the magnetic resonance. Results: 33 patients diagnosed with left ventricular noncompaction via magnetic resonance were included. The average age was 21.9 ± 19.8, pediatric population was the most representative (30.3% between 1 and 10 years old and 30.3% between 11 and 20 years old). There was a 63% diagnostic coincidence between echocardiogram and magnetic resonance; most common symptoms were dyspnea, chest pain and palpitations (78,8, 36.4, 33.3% respectively). Cardiac failure was the syndrome prevalent to diagnosis (51.5%). Most patients suffered from left ventricular noncompaction <40% (57.6%), normal left ventricular noncompaction 21.2%. Apical lateral walls were the most compromised (48.3%). The symptoms and presence of an embolism were more related to the severity of the systolic dysfunction. Conclusions: Left ventricular noncompaction is an increasingly common diagnosis in the local area and its presentation and progress are similar to series from other countries. Suspicion in the echocardiogram is correlated to findings in the magnetic resonance. Diagnosis in infants and adolescents is usually reached at an advanced stage.

Prevention of contrast induced nephropathy with sodium bicarbonate (the PROMEC study) / Prevenção de nefropatia por contraste com bicarbonato de sódio (o estudo PROMEC)

Introduction: Contrast-induced nephropathy is a common complication of radiographic procedures. Different measures have been used to avoid this damage, but the evidence is controversial. New investigations are required to clarify it. We investigated the efficacy and safety of sodium bicarbonate solution compared with sodium chloride solution to prevent contrast induced nephropathy in patients with or at risk of renal dysfunction. Methods: A prospective, single-center, randomized clinical trial conducted from May 1, 2007 to February 8, 2008. Inpatients in a tertiary center, scheduled to undergo a procedure with the nonionic radiographic contrast agent iohexol. There were 220 patients with serum creatinine levels of at least 1.2 mg/dL (106.1 µmol/L) and/or type 2 diabetics, who were randomized to receive an infusion of sodium chloride (n = 113) or sodium bicarbonate (n = 107) before and after contrast dye administration. The intervention were "A" group received 1 ml/kg/hour of normal saline solution, starting 12 hours before and continuing 12 hours after iohexol contrast. "B" group received 3 ml/kg of sodium bicarbonate solution (150 mEq/L) one hour prior to procedure and then drip rate was decreased to 1 ml/kg/hour until 6 hours post procedure. Our main outcome measure was change in serum creatinine. Results: The mean creatinine value after the procedure was 1.26 mg/dL in the saline group and 1.22 mg/dL in the bicarbonate group (mean difference: 0.036; CI 95%: -0.16 to 0.23, p = 0.865). The diagnosis of contrast-induced nephropathy, defined by increase in serum creatinine on 25% or more within 2 days after administration of radiographic contrast, was done in twelve patients (12%) in the bicarbonate group and eighth patients (7.1%) in the saline group (RR: 1.68, CI 95%: 0.72 to 3.94). Conclusion: Our investigation showed that there were no differences between normal saline solution (extended infusion) vs. bicarbonate solution ...

Introdução: A nefropatia induzida por contraste é uma complicação comum de procedimentos radiográficos. Medidas diferentes têm sido utilizadas para evitar estes problemas, mas a evidência é controversa. Novos estudos são necessários para esclarecer isso. Investigamos tanto a eficácia quanto a segurança de uma solução de bicarbonato de sódio em comparação com a solução de cloreto de sódio para evitar nefropatia por contraste em pacientes com ou em risco de desenvolver disfunção renal. Métodos: Estudo prospectivo, randomizado clínico, conduzido em um único centro, entre 01 de maio de 2007 e 8 de fevereiro de 2008. Os pacientes internados em um centro terciário, agendados para passar por um procedimento radiográfico com uso de contraste não iônico., Havia 220 pacientes com níveis de creatinina sérica de pelo menos 1,2 mg/dL (106,1 mmol/L) e/ou diabéticos do tipo 2, que foram escolhidos aleatoriamente para receber uma infusão de cloreto de sódio (n = 113) ou bicarbonato de sódio (n = 107) antes e após a administração do meio de contraste. A intervenção foi: grupo "A" recebeu 1 ml/kg/hora de solução salina normal, começando 12 horas antes e continuando por 12 horas após o uso do contraste iohexol. Os pacientes do grupo "B" receberam 3 ml/kg de uma solução de bicarbonato de sódio (150 mEq/L), 1 hora antes do procedimento e, em seguida, o gotejamento foi reduzido a 1 ml/kg/hora por até 6 horas após o procedimento. Nosso principal indicador de desfecho foi a alteração na creatinina sérica. Resultados: O valor médio da creatinina após o procedimento foi de 1,26 mg/dL no grupo que recebeu a solução salina e 1,22 mg/dL no grupo do bicarbonato (diferença média: ...

Seguridad y eficacia de la utilización de levosimendán sin dosis de carga en una unidad de falla cardiaca especializada / Safety and effectiveness of levosimendan administration without loading dose in a specialized heart failure unit

Objetivo: evaluar la eficacia y seguridad del uso de levosimendán en pacientes con falla cardiaca severa crónica descompensada con signos evidentes de bajo gasto, e indicación de utilización de inotrópico, utilizando el medicamento sin dosis de carga, con una mayor concentración y en infusión continua hasta completar la dosis de 12.5 miligramos en total. Metodología: estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo. Se evaluaron los cambios en la presión arterial media, desarrollo de arritmias o muerte durante la infusión y clase funcional I (NYHA) antes y dos meses después de recibir el medicamento. Resultados: se observó cambio en la clase funcional durante el seguimiento a dos meses. La infusión del medicamento fue bien tolerada y no se observaron efectos adversos significativos durante la hospitalización. La presión arterial media antes de la infusión fue 71± 21.6 vs 75 ± 20.9 mmHg 24 horas después, y 71 ± 21.6 vs 71.6 ± 21.4 mmHg 48 horas después. Ningún paciente presentó arritmias inducidas por el inotrópico y se presentó solamente una muerte (4.7%) por sepsis. Conclusiones: el presente reporte es una experiencia inicial que sugiere que la administración de la infusión de levosimendan sin bolo inicial disminuye la incidencia de hipotensión y arritmias en los pacientes con falla cardiaca y puede emplearse en un servicio de hospitalización diferente a la Unidad de Cuidado Intensivo con seguridad (Acta Med Colomb 2011: 36: 68-72).

Objective: to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of levosimendan administration in patients with chronic heart failure, signs of low output, and indications for inotropic therapy. The protocol included a continuous infusion of levosimendan without loading dose, with a total dosage of 12.5 miligrams. Methods: a retrospective, descriptive study was performed to evaluate changes in mean arterial pressure, the development of arrhythmias, adverse effects like death during the infusion, and functional changes in the two months after the treatment. Results: the infusion was well tolerated, without side effects. Mean arterial pressure before the infusion was 71± 21.6 vs. 75 ± 20.9 mmHg 24 hours after and 71 ± 21.6 vs. 71.6 ± 21.4 48 hours after. There was one death (4.7%), explained by non-cardiovascular causes (sepsis). An improvement in functional class was observed during the follow-up. Conclusion: this report of an initial experience suggests that the administration of levosimendan infusion without loading dose is safe and can be used outside the intensive care unit (Acta Med Colomb 2011: 36: 68-72).

Neumonía intersticial asociada a sirolimus en un paciente con trasplante hepático / Sirolimus-associated interstitial pneumonitis in a liver transplant recipient

Con la utilización de sirolimus en pacientes trasplantados, se han reportado casos de neumonitis intersticial, bronquiolitis obliterante y neumonía organizada. Nosotros describimos un caso de toxicidad pulmonar asociada al uso de sirolimus en un paciente de 59 años con trasplante hepático, revisamos los reportes de caso donde se describía toxicidad pulmonar asociada al uso de sirolimus en pacientes con trasplante hepático, con el objetivo de encontrar similitudes en factores de riesgo, manifestaciones clínicas y desenlaces. De los cinco casos reportados desde enero de 2000, incluyendo el presente, encontramos que las manifestaciones clínicas fueron similares presentándose fiebre, disnea, fatiga, tos y hemoptisis. Con la suspensión del medicamento, los pacientes resolvieron sus signos, síntomas y hallazgos imagenológicos. La toxicidad pulmonar asociada a sirolimus debe ser considerada como diagnóstico diferencial de aquellos pacientes con trasplante hepático que reciban este medicamento y presenten manifestaciones respiratorias, pues la suspensión del medicamento lleva a la resolución del cuadro.

Sirolimus is an immunosuppressive drug that has been used during the past few years. Sirolimus is indicated in rescue therapies and to reduce the secondary toxic effects of calcineurin inhibitors. This drug has been associated with infrequent but severe pulmonary toxicity. Cases of interstitial pneumonitis, bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia, and alveolar proteinosis have been described. We describe a case of pulmonary toxicity associated with the use of sirolimus in a 59-yr-old liver transplant recipient. We also review all reported cases of sirolimus-associated lung toxicity among liver transplantation recipients, with the intention of understanding the risk factors, the clinical picture and the outcomes of this complication. Five cases have been reported since January 2000, including the present case. Clinical presentation is similar, with fever, dyspnea, fatigue, cough, and hemoptysis. Discontinuation of the drug led to resolution of clinical and radiographic findings. Sirolimus-induced pulmonary toxicity is a serious condition and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of liver recipients presenting with respiratory findings. Discontinuation of the drug is associated with resolution of the pulmonary compromise.