Jailed pressure wire technique for coronary bifurcation lesions: structural damage and clinical outcomes.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The use of a pressure wire as a jailed wire to evaluate side branch results during provisional stenting seems feasible. However, safety concerns exist due to the mechanical damage of the wire and the lack of prospective data evaluating the prognosis of patients treated using this technique. This study sought to evaluate the structural damage of the pressure wire in patients treated using the jailed pressure wire technique and to assess mid-term clinical outcomes. METHODS: We enrolled 99 patients with single bifurcation lesions and provisional stenting as the strategy of choice. A jailed pressure wire was used to guide side branch intervention according to the instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR). A total of 114 patients and the respective nonpolymer-coated jailed wires were used as historical controls. Guidewire damage was evaluated by stereomicroscopy. The primary endpoint was significant microscopic damage. Major adverse cardiac events were evaluated at 2-year follow-up. RESULTS: Significant microscopic damage was more frequent in pressure wires than in nonpolymer-coated wires (53.5% vs 22.8%, P<.001). There were no fractures in either group. There were fewer side branch interventions in the pressure wire group (postdilation/kissing balloon, 32.3% vs 56.1%, P=.001; stenting, 0.0% vs 2.6%, P=.104). The 2-year rate of major adverse cardiac events was similar between the 2 groups (HRadj, 0.42; 95%CI, 0.10-1.73; P=.229). CONCLUSIONS: Pressure wires were less resistant to jailing than conventional nonpolymer-coated wires. Patients treated with iFR-guided provisional stenting required fewer side branch interventions but had similar 2-year clinical outcomes than patients treated with the angiography-guided technique.

Intoxicación severa por ácido valproico / Severe poisoning by valproic acid

El ácido valproico es utilizado en el manejo de las crisis de ausencias simples y complejas, mioclonías y convulsiones tónico-clónicas generalizadas. Es efectivo en las crisis parciales, como profilaxis de segunda línea para la migraña y en el trastorno bipolar. Debido a su amplio uso han aumentado los casos de intoxicación en los últimos años. Los objetivos de este trabajo son describir las manifestaciones clínicas y evolución de una intoxicación severa por ácido valproico, secundaria a ingesta intencional; destacar la importancia del metabolismo de la droga para el manejo clínico de la intoxicación, la necesidad de un laboratorio capaz de proporcionar una rápida cuantificación de la misma y analizar las opciones terapéuticas actuales.

Valproic acid is used in crisis management both simple and complex absence, myoclonus and tonic-clonic seizures. It is effective in partial seizures, as second line prophylaxis for migraine and bipolar disorder. Its widespread use has increased cases of poisoning in recent years. The aim of this review is to describe the clinical manifestations and evolution of a severe valproic acid intoxication secondary to intentional consumption as well as emphasize the importance of drug metabolism for clinical management of poisoning, the need for a laboratory provide rapid quantification of this drug and discuss current treatment options.

Efecto del plasma autógeno rico en plaquetas sobre el infarto de miocardio en ovejas / Effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma on heart infarction in sheep

Objetivo: El infarto de miocardio es la causa más común de fallo cardíaco congestivo. El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar, en el animal de experimentación, los efectos morfológicos e histológicos de la implantación de plasma autógeno rico en plaquetas en el corazón de ovejas previamente infartadas. Métodos: Se utilizaron 24 ovejas lacha hembras, en las que se produjo quirúrgicamente un infarto agudo de miocardio, mediante toracotomía izquierda y ligadura permanente de 2 arterias coronarias (primera y segunda diagonal). Tras la ligadura de las arterias coronarias 3 ovejas fallecieron por fibrilación ventricular. Pasadas 3 semanas de la ligadura coronaria, las ovejas fueron reoperadas por esternotomía media vertical. En 6 de ellas (grupo control) se inyectó suero fisiológico en la zona del infarto. En 15 se inyectó gel plaquetario. Todas las ovejas fueron sacrificadas a las 9 semanas de evolución de la segunda cirugía. Resultados: En los corazones tratados con plasma rico en factores de crecimiento (PRGF) destaca la neoformación vascular en los cortes de hematoxilina-eosina y de factor VIII, a diferencia de los no tratados. Conclusiones: La inyección de factores de crecimiento plaquetarios, PRGF, en el corazón de ovejas previamente infartadas favorece la mitogénesis y la angiogénesis. El uso de PRGF autógeno es sencillo y seguro, no provocando toxicidad ni desencadenando reacciones inmunológicas ni inflamatorias.

Objective: Myocardial infarction is the most common cause of congestive heart failure. The objective of this work is to evaluate, in experimental animals, morphological and histological effects of the implantation of autologous platelet-rich plasma in infarcted heart sheep. Methods: Twenty-four ewes were used, they were surgically infarcted through left thoracotomy and two coronary arteries were ligated (first and second diagonal). After coronary artery ligation three sheep died of ventricular fibrillation. Three weeks after coronary ligation, sheep were reoperated through median sternotomy. Normal saline solution was injected in the infarcted zone in 6 of them (control group) whereas platelet gel was injected in 15 of them. All sheep were euthanized at 9 weeks of evolution of the second surgery. Results: Noteworthy is the formation of new vessels in hematoxylin-eosin-stained sections and factor VIII in plasma rich in growth-factors (PRGF)-treated hearts. Conclusions: Injection of platelet growth factors, PRGF, in previously infarcted sheep hearts promotes mitogenesis and angiogenesis. The use of autologous PRGF is simple and safe, causing no toxicity or immune-inflammatory reactions.

[Effect of autologous platelet-rich plasma on heart infarction in sheep]. / Efecto del plasma autógeno rico en plaquetas sobre el infarto de miocardio en ovejas.

OBJECTIVE: Myocardial infarction is the most common cause of congestive heart failure. The objective of this work is to evaluate, in experimental animals, morphological and histological effects of the implantation of autologous platelet-rich plasma in infarcted heart sheep. METHODS: Twenty-four ewes were used, they were surgically infarcted through left thoracotomy and two coronary arteries were ligated (first and second diagonal). After coronary artery ligation three sheep died of ventricular fibrillation. Three weeks after coronary ligation, sheep were reoperated through median sternotomy. Normal saline solution was injected in the infarcted zone in 6 of them (control group) whereas platelet gel was injected in 15 of them. All sheep were euthanized at 9 weeks of evolution of the second surgery. RESULTS: Noteworthy is the formation of new vessels in hematoxylin-eosin-stained sections and factor viii in plasma rich in growth-factors (PRGF)-treated hearts. CONCLUSIONS: Injection of platelet growth factors, PRGF, in previously infarcted sheep hearts promotes mitogenesis and angiogenesis. The use of autologous PRGF is simple and safe, causing no toxicity or immune-inflammatory reactions.

Population genetics of gene function.

This paper shows that differentiating the lifetimes of two phenotypes independently from their fertility can lead to a qualitative change in the equilibrium of a population: since survival and reproduction are distinct functional aspects of an organism, this observation contributes to extend the population-genetical characterisation of biological function. To support this statement a mathematical relation is derived to link the lifetime ratio T1/T2, which parameterizes the different survival ability of two phenotypes, with population variables that quantify the amount of neutral variation underlying a population's phenotypic distribution.

A preliminary approach to the repair of myocardial infarction using adipose tissue-derived stem cells encapsulated in magnetic resonance-labelled alginate microspheres in a porcine model.

Adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) have properties of self-renewal, pluripotency and high proliferative capability that make them useful for the treatment of cardiac ventricular function following ischaemic injury. However, their therapeutic use is limited due to the low retention of the cells at the targeted site. To address this issue, we developed semipermeable membrane microcapsules labelled with Endorem (magnetocapsules) that provide mechanical and immunological immune protection to the cells while maintaining internal cell microenvironment. In addition, the particles allow tracking the presence and migration of injected cells in vivo by Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Results indicate that after 21 days in culture, the cells encapsulated in the magnetocapsules showed similar viabilities than cells encapsulated in conventional microcapsules. MRI confirmed a gradual loss of the intensity of the iron oxide label in the non-encapsulated Endorem labelled cells, while magnetocapsules were detected throughout the study period, suggesting that cell retention in the myocardium is improved when cells are enclosed within the magnetocapsules. To further evaluate treatment's effect on global cardiac function, MRI determination of infarct size and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was performed. In vivo results showed no statistically significant differences in heart rate and cardiac output between treatment groups. In conclusion, cells enclosed within magnetocapsules have shown suitable viability and have been detected in vivo throughout the study period. Further studies will evaluate whether increasing cell loading with the particles may help to improve the therapeutic results.

Frecuencia de infección y enfermedad por citomegalovirus y factores de riesgo para su desarrollo en pacientes pediátricos / Frequency of infection and disease due to cytomegalovirus and risk of development in pediatric kidney transplant patients

Introducción. Como complicaciones asociadas al trasplante, las infecciones representan una de las principales causas de muerte y pérdida del injerto. De ellas, las infecciones virales son la principal causa. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar la frecuencia de infección o enfermedad por citomegalovirus (CMV) y sus características clínicas en una cohorte de pacientes pediátricos con trasplante renal, así como los factores de riesgo asociados a su desarrollo. Métodos. Se analizó una cohorte retrospectiva. Se revisaron los expedientes de pacientes en los que se realizaron trasplantes renales desde 2004 hasta 2006, y que tuvieron al menos seguimiento por 6 meses. Se consideró como infección activa la presencia de IgM para CMV posterior al trasplante o de seroconversión o de antigenemia pp65 positiva o determinación positiva de CMV-DNA por PCR. Se definieron como casos aquellos pacientes con infección activa o enfermedad por CMV, y controles aquellos pacientes sin infección o enfermedad. Los factores de riesgo fueron edad, sexo, estado serológico para CMV previo al trasplante, tipo de donador (cadáver o vivo relacionado), profilaxis farmacológica adecuada, año de trasplante y trasfusiones sanguíneas. Resultados. De 120 trasplantes totales realizados, 81 llenaron los criterios de inclusión; de estos, 53% fueron del sexo masculino, y la media de edad de 12 años. Durante el seguimiento, 4 pacientes presentaron sospecha de infección (4.9%), en 10 pacientes se diagnóstico infección (12.3%), 2 pacientes tuvieron la enfermedad (2.5%), 1 paciente presentó rechazo del injerto más infección (1.2%), 15 pacientes presentaron rechazo por otras causas (18%) y 49 pacientes (60.5%) no presentaron complicaciones. El factor de riesgo para el desarrollo de infección o enfermedad que resultó significativo fue la serología negativa previa para CMV en el receptor [RM 3.5 (IC95% 0.94-14.74) p = 0.035]. La frecuencia de infección fue mayor en el 2004 (12/17). La profilaxis fue administrada de forma correcta únicamente en 28.9% de los pacientes. Conclusiones. La frecuencia de infección por CMV en pacientes pediátricos trasplantados fue de 20%. En pacientes de alto riesgo fue de 34% y en los de bajo riesgo, 9%. El 60% se presentaron asintomáticos, 30% con síntomas generales y 10% con síntomas específicos de enfermedad por CMV, así como alteraciones en pruebas de laboratorio. El diagnóstico en 70% se basó en determinaciones serológicas con una respuesta inmune (IgM para CMV). El único factor de riesgo significativo fue la falta de respuesta inmune contra CMV previa al trasplante.

Background. In regard to transplant-associated complications, infections represent one of the principal causes of death and graft loss. Of these, viral infections are the principal cause. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of infection and/or disease due to cytomegalovirus (CMV) and clinical presentation in a cohort of pediatric kidney transplant patients as well as to present the risk factors associated with its development. Methods. We carried out a retrospective cohort study. Clinical files of patients who underwent kidney transplantation between 2004 and 2006 and with a minimum of 6 months of follow-up were reviewed. Active infection was considered if a positive IgM to CMV after transplant was detected or seroconversion or positive pp65 antigenemia or CMV-DNA positive PCR test. Cases represented patients with active infection or disease and controls were patients without infection and/or disease. Risk factors investigated were age, serological status previous to transplant, donor, drug prophylaxis, year of transplant and blood transfusions. Results. Of 120 transplant patients, 81 fulfilled the inclusion criteria; 53% were male and 47% female with a median age of 12 years. During follow-up, four patients presented a probable infection (4.9%), ten patients had active infection (12.3%), two patients had CMV disease (2.5%), and one patient experienced rejection plus infection (1.2%). Fifteen patients presented rejection due to different causes (18%) and 49 patients (60.5%) did not develop complications. The only significant risk factor for development of infection or disease was a previous negative serological status for CMV (OR 3.58 95% CI 0.94-14.74, p = 0.035). Frequency of infection was higher in the year 2004 (12/17 patients). Prophylaxis was administered correctly in only 28.9% of the patients. Conclusions. Frequency of CMV infection in pediatric kidney transplant patients was 20%. Among high-risk groups, frequency was 34% and decreased to 9% among low-risk groups. Most infected patients were asymptomatic, 30% presented general symptoms and 10% presented specific signs of CMV disease. Serological diagnosis was performed for most of the cases (IgM to CMV). The only significant risk factor for development of CMV infection was negative serological status for CMV previous to transplant.

Autologous platelet-rich plasma: effect on sternal healing in the sheep model.

Postcardiotomy sternal wound complications remain challenging. We looked at the effects of plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) as an agent on sternal bone healing. In 24 female sheep, a median sternotomy was surgically created. In 12 of them (group control) the sternum was closed with three figure-of-eight wires. In 12 (group PRGF) three clots of autologous PRGF were applied over the sternum after its closure in the same manner as the control group. All sheep were killed at the nine-week follow-up. The sternum and the surrounding soft tissue was removed and fixed in formaldehyde. Transversal sections of the bone were obtained, decalcified and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. In the control group, we found extensive cartilaginous areas. In the PRGF group, the presence of trabecular bone tissue was common, with formation of hematopoietic medullary tissue. The process of new bone formation was accelerated in the PRGF group at the nine-week follow-up. In contrast, in the control group, the presence of cartilaginous tissue was the most common finding.