High-Flow Oxygen with Capping or Suctioning for Tracheostomy Decannulation.

BACKGROUND: When patients with a tracheostomy tube reach a stage in their care at which decannulation appears to be possible, it is common practice to cap the tracheostomy tube for 24 hours to see whether they can breathe on their own. Whether this approach to establishing patient readiness for decannulation leads to better outcomes than one based on the frequency of airway suctioning is unclear. METHODS: In five intensive care units (ICUs), we enrolled conscious, critically ill adults who had a tracheostomy tube; patients were eligible after weaning from mechanical ventilation. In this unblinded trial, patients were randomly assigned either to undergo a 24-hour capping trial plus intermittent high-flow oxygen therapy (control group) or to receive continuous high-flow oxygen therapy with frequency of suctioning being the indicator of readiness for decannulation (intervention group). The primary outcome was the time to decannulation, compared by means of the log-rank test. Secondary outcomes included decannulation failure, weaning failure, respiratory infections, sepsis, multiorgan failure, durations of stay in the ICU and hospital, and deaths in the ICU and hospital. RESULTS: The trial included 330 patients; the mean (±SD) age of the patients was 58.3±15.1 years, and 68.2% of the patients were men. A total of 161 patients were assigned to the control group and 169 to the intervention group. The time to decannulation was shorter in the intervention group than in the control group (median, 6 days [interquartile range, 5 to 7] vs. 13 days [interquartile range, 11 to 14]; absolute difference, 7 days [95% confidence interval, 5 to 9]). The incidence of pneumonia and tracheobronchitis was lower, and the duration of stay in the hospital shorter, in the intervention group than in the control group. Other secondary outcomes were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Basing the decision to decannulate on suctioning frequency plus continuous high-flow oxygen therapy rather than on 24-hour capping trials plus intermittent high-flow oxygen therapy reduced the time to decannulation, with no evidence of a between-group difference in the incidence of decannulation failure. (REDECAP ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02512744.).

Preventive treatment with alendronate of loss of bone mineral density in acute traumatic spinal cord injury. Randomized controlled clinical trial.

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial of two parallel groups. OBJECTIVES: Analyse the efficacy of primary prevention with alendronate on the loss of bone mass which occurs during the first year of traumatic SCI, measured by double-energy X-ray bone densitometry (DXA). SETTING: National Hospital for Paraplegics (HNP), Toledo, Spain. METHODS: We included 52 people admitted to the HNP with traumatic SCI Grade A and B on the ASIA Impairment Scale and less than 8 weeks of progression, which were randomized to one of the two treatment groups. Both groups received calcifediol and a calcium-enriched diet for 52 weeks. Only one group was administered alendronate 70 mg weekly. The dose of alendronate was adjusted according to changes in serum ß-CTX. RESULTS: 52 Participants were randomized. Of the 26 assigned to each group, 4 patients were lost in the alendronate group and 3 in the control group. The random distribution of women was asymmetrical, so we analysed the effect of treatment on men. In the total left hip, the mean (SD) decrease in bone mass was -22.791% (10.768) in the control group compared to the mean (SD) decrease of -2.693% (6.283) in the same location in the alendronate group (p < 0.0001). No patient presented related adverse events. CONCLUSION: Alendronate administered for one year in the first 8 weeks after traumatic SCI decreases bone loss in the hip in men. This treatment is well tolerated.

[Diagnostic usefulness of procalcitonin and C-reactive protein in the Emergency Department for predicting bacterial meningitis in the elderly]. / Rendimiento diagnóstico de la procalcitonina y la proteína C reactiva para predecir meningitis bacteriana en los ancianos en urgencias.

OBJETIVES: To analyse and compare procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) as tools for detecting bacterial meningitis (BM) in the elderly (>74 years of age). METHODS: A prospective, observational, descriptive, analytical study of 220 consecutive patients aged ≥1year and diagnosed with acute meningitis in an emergency department between September 2009 and July 2014. RESULTS: A total of 220 patients (136 [62%] male) were studied. The mean age was 30±26years, with BM being diagnosed in 17/83 patients from 1 to 14years of age, 32/111 from 15 to 74years of age, and 17/26 patients ≥75years of age. PCT had the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) (0.972; 95%CI, 0.946-0,998; P<.001) to predict bacterial meningitis. With a cut-off of ≥0.52ng/mL, PCT achieved 93% sensitivity and 86% specificity, and for patients over 75years of age 96% sensitivity and 75% specificity, with the same AUC (0.972). The AUC for CRP was 0.888, and a ≥54,4mg/L cut-off achieved 91% sensitivity and 78% specificity, and for patients over 75years of age an AUC of only 0.514 achieved with 97% sensitivity and 43% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: For all patients with acute meningitis in the emergency department, PCT has a high diagnostic power, outperforming CRP and Leukocytes for detection of bacterial etiology, but CPR is of not useful in the elderly.

[Diagnostic and prognostic power of biomarkers to improve the management of community acquired pneumonia in the emergency department]. / Poder diagnóstico y pronóstico de los biomarcadores para mejorar el manejo de la neumonía adquirida en la comunidad en los servicios de urgencias.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the usefulness and performance of several biomarkers [C-reactive protein (CRP), mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM), procalcitonin (PCT)] and lactate in predicting short- and medium-term mortality compared with the prognostic severity scales (PSS) usually employed for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and in assessing the aetiological suspicion of infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae and bacteraemia. METHODS: Observational, prospective and analytical study was conducted on patients who were diagnosed with CAP in our emergency department (ED). The data collected included socio-demographic and comorbidity variables, Charlson index, priority level according to the Spanish Triage System (STS), stage in the Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) and in the CURB-65 (confusion, urea, respiratory rate, blood pressure and age ≥65years), criteria of severe CAP, microbiological studies, and biomarkers determinations. The patients were followed-up for 180days to calculate the prognostic power and the diagnostic performance for bacteraemia and aetiology. RESULTS: A total of 127patients were finally enrolled in the study. The 30-day mortality was 10.3% (13), and 22.6% (28) at 180 days. Blood cultures were positive in 29 patients (23%) and S.pneumoniae was identified as the responsible pathogen in 28 cases (22.2%). The area under the ROC curve (AUC-ROC) for lactate and MR-proADM to predict 30-day mortality was 0.898 (95%CI: 0.824-0.973; P<.0001) and 0.892 (95%CI: 0.811-0.974; P<.0001), respectively, and for MR-proADM at 180 days it was 0.921 (95%CI: 0.874-0.968; P<.0001). The AUC-ROC for PCT to predict bacteraemia was 0.952 (95%CI: 0.898-1.000; P<.0001) and, considering a cut-off value ≥0.95ng/ml, the negative predictive value (NPV) and the likelihood ratio (LR+) were 97.8% and 9.03, respectively. Using a PCT cut-off value >0.85ng/ml, the NPV and the LR+ were 96.6% and 5.89%, respectively, to predict a S.pneumoniae infection. CONCLUSIONS: MR-proADM and lactate showed a similar or even better performance for 30-day intra-hospital mortality than PSI, CURB-65, STS and CAP severity criteria in patients diagnosed with CAP (P>.05). Furthermore, the MR-proADM capacity to predict 180-day mortality was higher than PSS and the rest of biomarkers (P>.05), and its AUC-ROC increased if it was used in combination with PSI, CURB65 and STS. The determination of PCT has a remarkable diagnostic performance to rule out bacteraemia and to orientate the aetiology towards a S.pneumoniae infection.

Utero-ovarian anastomoses and their influence on uterine fibroid embolization.

PURPOSE: To correlate clinical outcomes after uterine artery embolization (UAE) performed to treat uterine fibroids with the presence of varying types of utero-ovarian anastomoses (UOA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of all uterine angiograms from 202 patients (mean age 42 y, range 28-54 y) who underwent UAE because of heavy menstrual bleeding, dysmenorrhea, or anemia or a combination of these symptoms. UOA were classified as absent or present, unilateral or bilateral. The effects of UOA on long-term outcomes (clinical endpoints such as control of bleeding and pain) and complications (amenorrhea) were assessed statistically using Kaplan-Meier curves and χ(2) and log-rank tests. RESULTS: Of the UOA in 104 women, 38 anastomoses were bilateral, and 66 were unilateral. Type III was the most common type of anastomosis (66 cases) followed by type Ia (22 cases) and type Ib (18 cases); there were no type II anastomoses. Amenorrhea was reported in 27 (14%) women at 5-year follow-up after UAE (only 3% in women < 45 y old). There were 10 cases of clinical failure with a median follow-up of > 4 years. Bilateral or unilateral presence of UOA had no statistically significant effect on outcomes or on complications. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrence rates, clinical failure, and amenorrhea after UAE do not seem to be influenced by the presence or absence of UOA. However, further studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Randomized comparison of nasolacrimal cryoplasty versus plastic lacrimal stenting in the management of epiphora in adults.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of plastic polyurethane stents compared with nasolacrimal cryoplasty in the management of epiphora in adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients (N = 37; mean age, 64 years; range, 34-86 y; six men, 31 women) with severe epiphora with partial/complete obstruction of the nasolacrimal system were randomized to have a plastic stent inserted (n = 19) or to undergo balloon dilation cryoplasty (n = 18). Both procedures were conducted on an outpatient basis. Patency was assessed with Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: Initial technical success rate and immediate resolution of epiphora was complete in all cases. At 6 months of follow-up, outcomes were already significantly different between the treatment groups and hence the study was discontinued. Plastic stent placement achieved a primary patency rate of 59.6% at 6 months, compared with 12.4% in the cryoplasty group (P < .0004). Multivariate analysis indicated that other measured variables (sex, age, etiology, previous treatment, and the interventional radiologist's expertise) had no significant effect on the outcomes (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Initial success was good in both treatment groups, with nasolacrimal plastic stent placement achieving a level of primary patency superior to the cryoplasty procedure for the relief of epiphora on short-term follow-up. However, long-term outcome evaluation is needed before stent placement can be recommended as an alternative to more established surgical procedures.

[Serological diagnosis of atrophic gastritis with a combination of pepsinogen I and II, gastrin-17 and anti-Helicobacter pylori antibodies]. / Diagnóstico serológico de gastritis atrófica con una combinación de pepsinógeno I y II, gastrina-17 y anticuerpos anti-Helicobacter pylori.

OBJECTIVE: Noninvasive diagnosis of atrophic gastritis would help to identify individuals at increased risk of gastric carcinoma. In the present study, we evaluated the utility of a serological panel combining pepsinogen I and II, gastrin-17, and anti-Helicobacter pylori antibodies (Gastropanel) as a screening method for atrophic gastritis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The serological panel was evaluated in 56 patients divided in two groups: group 1 consisted of 47 patients with uninvestigated dyspepsia and group 2 was composed of nine consecutive patients with gastric carcinoma. In all patients, we performed endoscopy with biopsies of the gastric antrum and body. Levels of pepsinogen I and II, gastrin-17, and anti-H. pylori antibodies were determined through a specific EIA test (Biohit plc, Helsinki, Finland) in fasting serum samples. RESULTS: Atrophic gastritis was significantly more frequent in patients with gastric carcinoma than in those with dyspepsia (56 vs 6%; p = 0.0015). Agreement between the Gastropanel and gastric histology was good (kappa = 0.68). The sensitivity and specificity of the Gastropanel in the diagnosis of atrophic gastritis was 87.5% and 100%, respectively. However, the Gastropanel would not have detected four of the nine cases of gastric carcinoma, since these tumors arose in stomachs with nonatrophic mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: Gastropanel is a useful noninvasive method for the diagnosis of atrophic gastritis. However, its utility as a screening method is limited by cases of gastric carcinoma that arise in stomachs without atrophic mucosa.

[Digoxin dosing in the aged: new pharmacokinetic system versus Jellife and Koup methods]. / Dosificación de la digoxina en ancianos: nuevo sistema farmacocinético frente a los métodos de Jellife y de Koup.

To evaluate three methods for digoxin dose adjustment in aged patients, we determined the plasma digoxin levels that would be attained in 87 aged patients with doses adjusted to the kidney function by means of three separate procedures. Mean patient age was: 79.0 +/- 6.3 years; creatinine clearance (Clc): 0.70 +/- 0.23 mL/Kg of lean body weight and minute; digoxinemia/dose ratio (RCpD): 0.421 +/- 0.237 Kg/L. The dose that would attain a digoxinemia of 1.2 ng/mL, calculating the elimination constant (K) and the volume of distribution (V) as linear functions of the Clc, so that K ranges between 0.173 and 0.462 days-1 and V between 4 and 10 L/Kg of lean body weight when the Clc varies from 0 to 110 mL/minute, was 2947 ng/Kg of lean body weight, coefficient of variation (CV): 25.2%. The digoxinemia that patients would have with this D, taking into account the individual RCpD, was 1.1 ng/mL, CV: 38.0%; with figures between 0.8 y 2.0 ng/mL and above 2.0 ng/mL in the 81.6% and the 0.0% of the patients (95% confidence intervals (95% CI): 72.2% to 88.4 and 0.0% to 4.6%), respectively. The precision and the bias were 0.43 and -0.06 ng/mL (95% CI: 0.38 to 0.48 and -0.16 to 0.03 ng/mL), respectively, and with this method the digoxinemia was not associated with the Clc. We concluded that the described method would lead to good results if digoxin has not been prescribed in order to control the cardiac frequency in the setting of auricular fibrilation.

Improved management of community-acquired pneumonia in the emergency department.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of implementing clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in the emergency department (ED) by analyzing case management decisions (admission or discharge, appropriateness and timeliness of antibiotic therapy, complementary tests) and the consequent results (clinical stabilization time, length of hospital stay, re-admission to ED and mortality). METHODS: A prospective, observational, descriptive, comparative study carried out from 1st January 2008 to 1st August 2009 in two phases: before and after the implementation of the "Management of CAP in ED" SEMES-SEPAR (Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine - Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery) clinical practice guidelines from 2008. Two hundred adult patients treated in the ED with a diagnosis of CAP were included in the study, both in the pre-intervention and post-intervention groups. RESULTS: The application of the guidelines increased the administration of early and appropriate antibiotic therapy (P<.001) and shortened both the total antibiotic therapy (P<.001) and the intravenous antibiotic therapy (P=.042) times. Time to clinical stabilization (P=.027), length of hospital stay (1.14 days, P=.01), intra-hospital mortality (P=.004) and total 30-day mortality (P=.044) were all reduced. Assessment with the Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI) and biomarkers aided in appropriate decision-making concerning admission/discharge (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of the SEMES-SEPAR 2008 guidelines, along with the use of PSI and biomarkers, significantly improved the entire treatment process of CAP. This benefitted both patients and the system by reducing mortality and improving the results of other patient management factors.

Dosificación de la digoxina en ancianos: nuevo sistema farmacocinético frente a los métodos de Jellife y de Koup / Digoxin dosing in the aged: neww pharmacokinetic system versus Jellife and Koup methods

Para evaluar tres métodos de cálculo de la dosis de digoxina en ancianos se calcularon las digoxinemias que hubieran alcanzado 87 ancianos ajustando la dosis a la función renal por tres procedimientos diferentes. La medida de edad fue: 79, 0 ± 6,3 años; el aclaramiento de creatinina (Clc): 0,70 ± 0,23 mL/Kg de peso magro y minuto; la relación digoxinemia/dosis (RCpD): 0,421 ± 0,237 Kg/L. La dosis que produciría una digoxinemia de 1,2 ng/mL, calculando la constante de eliminación (k) y el volumen de distribución (V) como funciones lineales del Clc, en forma de k oscile entre 0,173 y 0,462 días-¹ y V entre 4 y 10 L/Kg de peso magro cuando el Clc varía de 0 a 110 mL/minuto, fue 2947 ng/Kg de peso magro, coeficiente de variación (CV): 25,2 por ciento. La digoxinemia prevista con dicha D, considerando la RCpD individual, fue 1,1 ng/mL, CV: 38,0 por ciento; con cifras entre 0,8 y 2,0 ng/mL y superiores a 2,0 ng/ml en el 81,6 por ciento y el 0,0 por ciento de los pacientes (intervalos de confianza al 95 por ciento (IC 95 por ciento): 72,2 por ciento a 88,4 y 0,0 por ciento a 4,6 por ciento), respectivamente. La precisión y sesgo fueron 0,43 y -0,06 ng/mL (IC 95 por ciento: 0,38 a 0,48 y -0,16 a 0,03 ng/mL), respectivamente, y se consiguió independizar la digoxinemia del Clc. Concluimos que el método descrito conseguiría un ajuste inicial de la dosis de digoxina adecuado cuando su indicación no es la relación rápida de la frecuencia cardiaca en la fibrilación auricular