Teaching the basics of echocardiography in the undergraduate: Students as mentors. / Enseñanza de las bases de la ecocardioscopia en el pregrado: los estudiantes como mentores.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the ability of medical students to incorporate the practical teaching of basic echocardiography planes using a peer mentoring design. METHODOLOGY: Thirty-six medical students previously trained in obtaining echocardiography planes (mentors) taught the other 5th-year students (n=126). The teaching methodology included three stages: theory (online course), basic training (three 15h sessions of practical experience in ultrasound and at least 20 echocardiographic studies per mentor) and objective structured clinical assessment (OSCA), which scored the appropriateness of the basic ultrasound planes and the correct identification of 16 cardiac structures. RESULTS: The students' weighted mean score in the OSCA was 8.66±1.98 points (out of 10). Only 10 students (8.4%) scored less than 5, and 15 (12.6%) scored less than 7. Fifty students (42%) scored 10 points. The most easily identified structure was the left ventricle in the short-axis parasternal plane, with 89.9% of correct answers. The most poorly identified structure was the mitral valve in the subxiphoid plane, with 69.7% of correct answers. CONCLUSIONS: Peer mentoring-based teaching achieves an appropriate level of training in obtaining basic echocardiography planes. The training period is relatively short. The peer mentoring system can facilitate the implementation of teaching on basic aspects of ultrasound to a large number of undergraduate students.

Linfangioleiomiomatosis. Similitudes y diferencias entre sus dos formas clínicas / Lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Similarities and differences between its two clinical forms

La linfangioleiomiomatosis (LAM) es una enfermedad pulmonar que se caracteriza por la proliferación de células musculares lisas atípicas en el pulmón y por la destrucción del tejido en forma de quistes. Existen dos formas clínicas de LAM, la esporádica (LAM-S) y la asociada a CET (LAM-CET), esta última es cinco veces más frecuente que la LAM-S, puede tener mutación tanto en el gen TSC1 o en el TSC2, mientras que la LAM-S solo en TSC2. La LAM-S es más sintomática, agresiva, presenta mayor ocupación quística, con peores valores en FEV1 y DLCO, menor número de NP (HMNM) y menor número de AML renales que la LAM-CET. No se han descrito diferencias en cuanto a la histología, fisiopatología, tipo de tratamiento o pronóstico

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a lung disease characterized by the proliferation of atypical smooth muscle cells in the lung and the destruction of tissue in the form of cysts. There are two clinical forms of LAM, sporadic (LAM-S) and associated with TSC (LAM-CET), the latter is five times more frequent than LAM-S, it may have a mutation in both the TSC1 or TSC2 gene, while LAM-S only in TSC2 while LAM-S is more symptomatic and aggressive with greater cystic occupation, worse FEV1 and DLCO values, fewer pulmonary nodules (PN) and fewer renal AML than form LAM-CET. No differences have been described in terms of histology, pathophysiology, type of treatment or prognosis

¿Es necesaria la realización de ecocardiograma en la valoración de hipertensión pulmonar previa a una criobiopsia transbronquial? / Transbronchial cryobiopsy, is essential to rule out pulmonary hypertension?

INTRODUCCIÓN: El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue valorar la posibilidad de diagnosticar la Hipertensión Pulmonar (HP) mediante signos en la tomografía computarizada (TC), en pacientes con EPID que van a ser sometidos a criobiopsia transbronquial (CBxTb) sin necesidad de realizar ecocardiograma transtoracico (EcoC) sistemático y si la existencia de HP en TC influye de manera relevante en el riesgo de complicaciones de sangrado y en las demoras de realización de la técnica. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio prospectivo de casos controles de todos los pacientes en los que se realizó CBxTb en un período de 20 meses. Los controles fueron los pacientes en los que se realizó CBxTb con EcoC previa protocolizada y los casos los pacientes en los que se realizó EcoC pre CBxTb sólo sin había signos de HP en la TC. Analizamos la correlación entre los datos de HP de la TC y EcoC, las complicaciones por sangrado y la demora al procedimiento entre los grupos. RESULTADOS: Se han realizado 40 CBxTb. Se incluyeron 16 controles; 12 (75%) sin signos de HP en la TC con una especificidad de ésta en relación al EcoC del 85%, sensibilidad 71% y VPN 82%. Se incluyeron 24 casos y, tras los hallazgos de la TC, sólo se solicitó EcoC preCBxTb a 4 pacientes, de los que 3 resultaron falsos positivos. No hubo diferencias entre grupo de controles y casos en cuanto al sangrado (18,7% vs. 16,7%; p= 0,54) pero si en la demora diagnóstica (62 vs. 37; p= 0,03). CONCLUSIÓN: En nuestra serie de pacientes con EPID y CBxTb consideramos indicada la realización de EcoC sólo en casos con signos de HP en la TC, permitiendo acortar la demora diagnóstica sin aumento de sangrados

INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to assess whether the performance of EcoC only in those patients in which the caliper measurement of the PA on CT suggested the existence ofPAH, relevant influence on the risk of bleeding complications and delays CbxTb conducting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It has been conducted prospective, case-control, of all patients who underwent CbxTb in our unit over a period of 20 months. Defining control group those patients who EcoC was done protocolised, before CbxTb, and cases all patients who EcoC was made only in cases where there were signs of PAH in CT. We analized the correlation in HP diagnosis signs between CT and EcoC data, risk of bleeding and delays in the procedure. RESULTS: We were performed 40 patients. In the control group include 16 patients, CTdetected no signs of HP in 12 (75%) cases, with a specificity of 85%, sensitivity of 71% and negative predictive value of 82%. In our cases group, we include 24 patients, and EcoC was only made before the procedure in 4 cases, 3 of them false positives. No differences in bleeding was found between control and cases groups (18.7% vs. 16.7%; p= 0.54) but for the delays in the procedure was lower in the cases group (62 days vs. 37; p= 0.03) .Conclusion. In our study with interstitial lung disease and CbxTb we conclude that EcoC was indicated only in the cases with PH findings on CT reducing the delays in the procedure without bleeding rate increase

Safety of the transbronchial biopsy in outpatients.

The objective of our study was to determine the safety of transbronchial biopsy (TBB) in nonhospitalized patients. The design was a prospective study of the consecutive cases from July 1987 until September 1988 in the setting of a university hospital of the third level with 1,800 beds. The patients were a consecutive sample of 169 patients who had 184 procedures of fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) with TBB performed. They suffered from different diseases: lung nodules or masses, diffuse interstitial disease, alveolar condensation, etc. An FOB with TBB was performed in immunocompetent outpatients, who were kept under observation for four hours and then had a chest roentgenogram taken afterwards. We contacted them again after 72 hours to rule out delayed complications. In three cases, more than 100 ml of blood were obtained during the FOB, without significant hemoptysis being recorded in those patients during the observation period; chest pain occurred in 15 patients during the TBB; pneumothorax occurred in two patients (1 percent), one of whom required admission to the hospital, without requiring chest tube drainage. Other complications are reported (bronchospasm, parenchymal hemorrhage, and pneumonia). In conclusion, we consider the TBB to be a technique with a low incidence of complications for outpatients, so therefore we do not believe that admission to the hospital is mandatory for this type of patient, although we do recommend a longer observation period.

[Recurrent pneumonia and empyema due to Klebsiella pneumoniae as a complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy]. / Neumonías de repetición y empiema por Klebsiella pneumoniae como complicación de la colecistectomía laparoscópica.

We report a patient with pneumonia and empyema secondary to an abdominal abscess due to Klebsiella pneumoniae from stones released into the abdominal cavity during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

[Lymphoid interstitial pneumonia resolved through antiretroviral therapy in an adult infected by human immunodeficiency virus]. / Neumonía intersticial linfoidea en un paciente adulto con infección por el VIH, resuelta con tratamiento antirretroviral.

Lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (LIP) is a rare entity characterized by the infiltration of interstitial tissues and alveolar spaces by lymphocytes, plasma cells, and other lymphoreticular structures. The etiology of LIP is unknown, although associations with autoimmune and infectious factors have been described. The incidence of LIP has risen in recent years, mainly in children with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), while remaining less common in the adult population. No agreement has been reached regarding the diagnostic tests necessary for a firm diagnosis although suspicion is usually based on clinical and radiographic findings, with confirmation provided by examination of histological samples. The most common treatment is corticosteroids, either alone or in combination with other immunosuppressant agents although no evidence from controlled trials is available and cases have been reported in which LIP resolved in AIDS patients with antiretroviral therapy alone. We report the case of a human immunodeficiency virus-infected adult who was diagnosed with LIP by open lung biopsy and who responded to antiretroviral drugs with no need for associated corticosteroid therapy.

[Pleural mesothelioma: experience with 62 cases in 9 years]. / Mesotelioma pleural: experiencia durante 9 años y descripción de 62 casos.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the diagnostic approach, clinical and radiological characteristics, and survival of patients with pleural mesothelioma treated in our hospital over a 9-year period. PATIENTS AND METHOD: All patients with a diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma diagnosed in our hospital from January 1992 through December 2000 were studied. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients (49 men) with a mean age of 65 years (range, 45-85) were diagnosed. Probable or known contact with asbestos was established for 41 patients (66%). Ninety-four percent of the patients had chest pain or dyspnea at the onset of clinical assessment. The tumor was situated in the right hemithorax in 33 patients; 59 patients had pleural effusion, and 3 only had pleural thickening. The pleural fluid was bloody in 19% of patients, glucose levels were less than 60 mg/dL in 44%, and the pH of pleural fluid was less than 7.20 in 19%. The diagnosis was established by pleural biopsy for 52%, and by thoracoscopy or thoracotomy for 44%. The median survival was 11 months (95% confidence interval, 8-15); the probability of survival was 0.22 after 2 years, and 0.09 after 5. For the subgroup of patients with epithelial tumors the probability of survival was 0.31 after 2 years and 0.16 after 5 years. In the univariate analysis the predictors of survival were general clinical status (Karnofsky scale), platelet count, serum albumin level, pleural pH, glucose and lactate dehydrogenase levels, and histological type. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical, radiological, and biochemical characteristics of the pleural fluid from patients with pleural mesothelioma and their survival rate were described.

[Mechanical ventilation in a respiratory ward. Evolution from 1994 to 2000]. / Ventilación mecánica en hospitalización neumológica. Evolución en el período 1994-2000.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the absolute and relative frequency of mechanical ventilation in the management of patients on a respiratory medicine ward between 1994 and 2000. To describe reasons for admission, mean hospital stay and outcomes. SETTING: A tertiary-care university hospital. METHODS: Observational, descriptive study of a case series. RESULTS: During the study period, 257 admissions involved mechanical ventilation of 132 patients. During that time, there was a progressive increase in the total number of ventilated patients as well as in the relative frequency, such that ventilated patients eventually accounted for 6.1% of all admissions for respiratory care in 2000. Nearly 80% of admissions were related to the service's home mechanical ventilation program, either to initiate and adapt ventilation for new patients or to treat exacerbations or diagnose and treat other medical or surgical problems in already-ventilated patients. Patients transferred from the intensive care unit (ICU) because of weaning difficulties (median ventilation, 31 days) had the highest mean stay. Nine of the 132 patients had to be transferred to the ICU and 18 died while hospitalized (7% of admissions and 13.6% of patients). The patients who died were those who were more acutely and severely ill (acute exacerbation in home-ventilated patients, patients with acute respiratory failure treated initially with non-invasive ventilation and patients transferred from the ICU due to weaning difficulties). CONCLUSIONS: Admissions requiring mechanical ventilation have increased and most are related to the home mechanical ventilation program. The mean stay and the mortality rate were related to the reason for admission.

20 años en patología pleural / 20 yeaar in pleural disease

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Abdominal ultrasound and medical education.

INTRODUCTION: Ultrasound is a very versatile diagnostic modality that permits real-time visualization of multiple internal organs. It is of invaluable help for the physical examination of the patients. AIM: To assess if ultrasound can be incorporated into medical education and if the students can perform a basic abdominal ultrasound examination without the necessity of a long period of training. METHODOLOGY: Twelve medical students were trained in basic abdominal ultrasound during a 15-h training program including a 5-h theoretical and practical course and supervised practice in 20 selected patients. Subsequently, we conducted an evaluation test that assessed the ability of students to obtain the ultrasound views and to detect various pathologies in five different patients. RESULTS: The students were able to correctly identify the abdominal views more than 90% of the times. This percentage was only lower (80%) in the right subcostal view to locate the gallbladder. The accuracy or global efficiency of the ultrasound for the diagnosis of relevant pathological findings of the patients was greater than 90% (91.1% gallstones, abdominal aortic aneurysm 100%; splenomegaly 98.3%, ascites 100%; dilated inferior vena cava 100%; acute urinary retention 100%). CONCLUSION: The ultrasound may be a feasible learning tool in medical education. Ultrasound can help students to improve the physical examination.

Sarcoma sinovial primario en pared costal / Chest wall synovial pleural sarcoma. A rare disease

El sarcoma sinovial pleural es una neoplasia de tejidos blandos muy rara. A pesar de su nombre, el tumor generalmente no muestra asociación con cavidades articulares y ha sido descrito en otras localizaciones no sinoviales. Presentamos el caso de un varón de 48 años con inicio de dolor agudo en hemitórax izquierdo, pleurítico, con una masa pleural de 7 cm en radiografía de tórax que tras el diagnóstico histológico mediante punción transtorácica inicia tratamiento quimioterápico y ante la ausencia de adecuada respuesta finalmente se realiza extirpación de éste mediante toracotomía y colocación de prótesis en pared torácica

Synovial pleural sarcoma is a very rare soft tissue neoplasm. Despite its name, the tumor usually shows no association with joint cavities and has been described in other non-synovial sites. We present the case of a 48-year-old man with acute pleuritic pain in left hemithorax, with a lung mass of 7 cm on chest radiography. After histological diagnosis by transthoracic puncture, he started chemotherapy treatment and, in the absence of adequate response, it is finally removed by thoracotomy and placement of thoracic wall prosthesis

Motivos para seguir fumando en pacientes ingresados en un Servicio de Neumología / Reasons to continue smoking in patients admitted to the Pneumology Department

Objetivos. Conocer los motivos por los que los pacientes ingresados en neumología continúan fumando, y describir las características de fumadores, exfumadores y no fumadores. Métodos. Estudio observacional de corte transversal de 6 meses de duración. Se entregó una encuesta anónima y voluntaria a todos los pacientes ingresados en hospitalización. Resultados. Fueron incluidos un total de 284 pacientes, de los cuales 57 (20,1%) eran fumadores, 125 (44%) exfumadores y 102 (35,9%) no habían fumado nunca. Entre los fumadores hombres (37), el motivo más frecuente por el que fumaban fue ‘Placer-relajación’ (78,38%), mientras que entre las fumadoras mujeres (20) fue ‘Reducción de estados negativos’ (90%). Los exfumadores (125) dejaron de fumar en su mayoría por ‘Progresión de su enfermedad’ (50,4%). Los exfumadores presentaban una mayor frecuencia de hipertensión arterial, cardiopatía, enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) y neoplasias que los fumadores, y mayor frecuencia de cardiopatías, EPOC y neoplasias que en aquellos que nunca habían fumado. El riesgo de padecer EPOC fue mayor en fumadores al compararlo con los que nunca habían fumado. Las mujeres comenzaron a fumar más tarde con una tasa de tabaquismo acumulado menor que los hombres. Una mayor edad se mostró como un predictor positivo de abandono. Conclusiones. Un 20,1% de los pacientes fumaba en el momento del ingreso. Continúan fumando por placer-relajación, adicción y reducción de estados negativos. Se ha encontrado en exfumadores una mayor frecuencia de diversas patologías, siendo la EPOC más frecuente en fumadores. Mayor edad se mostró como predictor positivo de abandono (AU)

Objectives. Determine the reasons why respiratory inpatients continue to smoke and describe the characteristics of smokers, former smokers and people who have never smoked. Methods. It was a 6-month observational, transversal study. A questionnaire was given to every patient admitted in the respiratory department. Results. 284 patients were included in the study, of which 57 (20.1%) were smokers, 125 (44%) former smokers and 102 (35.9%) had never smoked. Amongst the smoker men (37), the most frequent reason to continue smoking was ‘Pleasurable relaxation’ (78.38%), while in smoker women (20) it was ‘Tension reduction’ (90%). Former smokers (125) quitted the habit due to ‘Progression of their disease’ (50.4%). Former smokers had a greater frequency of developing hypertension, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cancer than those who had never smoked. The risk of having COPD was greater in smokers compared to those who had never smoked. Women began smoking later with a lower accumulated smoking rate than men. An older age was shown to be a positive predictor of abandon. Conclusions. A 20.1% of patients were reported as smokers at the time of admission. In general they continue smoking due to relaxation and pleasure, addiction and tension reduction. Different types of pathologies were found more frequently in former smokers, although COPD was more frequent in smokers. An older age was shown to be a positive predictor of abandon (AU)

Recomendaciones sobre el diagnóstico y manejo de la enfermedad pleural y pulmonar por asbesto / Recommendations for the diagnosis and management of asbestos-related pleural and pulmonary disease

Asbesto, también conocido en España como amianto, es el término utilizado para nombrar a un conjunto de silicatos minerales que suelen romperse en fibras. Su uso ha comportado la aparición de numerosas enfermedades, especialmente pleuropulmonares, todas ellas caracterizadas por su prolongada latencia. El asbesto es, además, un carcinógeno del grupo IA reconocido por la OMS desde 1987. En España está prohibido desde 2002. La publicación en 2013 de la 3.ª edición del protocolo de vigilancia sanitaria específica del amianto junto con la aparición de nuevas técnicas diagnósticas han motivado al grupo EROM de SEPAR a promover la elaboración de esta normativa que revisa aspectos clínicos, radiológicos y funcionales de las diferentes enfermedades relacionadas. También establece recomendaciones para el diagnóstico y seguimiento de los pacientes expuestos. Dichas recomendaciones han sido establecidas mediante sistema GRADE.(AU)

Asbestos is the term used for a set of mineral silicates that tend to break up into fibers. Its use has been associated with numerous diseases affecting the lung and pleura in particular, all of which are characterized by their long period of latency. Asbestos, moreover, has been recognized by the WHO as a Group IA carcinogen since 1987 and its use was banned in Spain in 2002. The publication in 2013 of the 3rd edition of the specific asbestos health monitoring protocol, together with the development of new diagnostic techniques, prompted the SEPAR EROM group to sponsor publication of guidelines, which review the clinical, radiological and functional aspects of the different asbestos-related diseases. Recommendations have also been made for the diagnosis and follow-up of exposed patients. These recommendations were drawn up in accordance with the GRADE classification system.(AU)

Derrame pleural maligno como debut de neoplasia no conocida / No disponible

Objetivo: Conocer el origen de la neoplasia en los pacientes con derrame pleural maligno (DPM) como primera manifestación de enfermedad tumoral. Diseño: Estudio retrospectivo y multicéntrico, desarrollado en 11 hospitales públicos de la Comunidad de Madrid, en el que se incluyeron todos los pacientes consecutivos con DPM, sin antecedentes de neoplasia conocida entre el 1 de abril de 2008 y el 1 de abril de 2013. Resultados: El diagnóstico del tumor primario se realizó mediante muestras citohistológicas en 339 pacientes (84%). El cáncer de pulmón destacó como el origen más frecuente del DPM tanto en hombres (59%) como en mujeres (46%), siendo el adenocarcinoma la estirpe histológica más frecuente. Los tumores pleurales primarios ocuparon el segundo lugar en frecuencia (20%), de los que el 92% fueron mesoteliomas. En tercer lugar se situaron en igual proporción (5,5%), las neoplasias hematológicas y los tumores ováricos. El cáncer mamario, junto con los tumores digestivos, renales y urológicos fueron muy infrecuentes (<2%). En 39 pacientes (9,7%) no fue posible determinar el origen neoplásico. Se hallaron otras metástasis a distancia en 187 pacientes (47%). Conclusión: El pulmón es el órgano que con mayor frecuencia produce DPM como primera manifestación de enfermedad neoplásica, seguido por las neoplasias pleurales. En ausencia de otros síntomas, el clínico debe dirigir sus esfuerzos iniciales a descartar uno de estos órganos como el origen tumoral. En mujeres, nuestro estudio obliga a cambiar la sospecha y enfoque clínico, ya que en esta situación el carcinoma mamario es muy infrecuente

Objective: To determine the origin of neoplasms in patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE) as the initial manifestation of tumor disease. Material and methods: This is a retrospective, multicenter study. It was developed at 11 public hospitals in the Community of Madrid, and included all consecutive patients with MPE and no history of previously detected neoplasm between April 1, 2008 and April 1, 2013. Results: We studied 402 patients with MPE. We obtained a cytohistological diagnosis of the primary tumor in 339 of them (84%). Lung cancer was the most frequent origin of the MPE in both men (59%) and in women (46%), while adenocarcinoma was the most frequent histological type. Primary pleural tumors were the second most frequent (20%), 92% of which were mesotheliomas. Third were both hematological cancers and ovarian tumors (5,5%). Breast cancer, along with gastrointestinal, renal and urological tumors, were very rare (<2%). It was not possible to determine the origin of the neoplasm in 39 patients (9,7%). Other distant metastases were found in 187 patients (47%). Conclusion: The lungs are the organs that most frequently produce MPE as the initial manifestation of neoplastic disease, which is followed in frequency by pleural neoplasms. Therefore, in the absence of other symptoms, clinicians should aim their initial efforts at ruling out one of these organs as the tumor origin. Our study shows that the clinical suspicion and focus should be changed when diagnosing women, because MPE is uncommon as the first manifestation of breast cancer

Ecografía pleural / No disponible

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[Profitability of the bronchoscopy in the diagnosis of focal pulmonary malignant lesions]. / Rentabilidad de la broncoscopia en el diagnóstico de lesiones pulmonares focales malignas.

INTRODUCTION: We define focal pulmonary lesion (FPL) as an intra-parenchymatous pulmonary lesion that is well circumscribed and completely surrounded by healthy lung. It is considered that the profitability of the fine needle aspiration puncture (FNAP) in FPL < or = 2 cm is better than that of the fibrobronchoscopy (FBC). OBJECTIVE: To analyze the diagnostic profitability of the FNAP in the malignant FPL and study if it varies according to site, size and histology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed all the FBCs of our Unit between 01/2000 and 12/2001 in patients with solitary FLP < or = 6 cm with a definitive diagnosis of malignancy. The diagnostic profitability by size, site and histology was analyzed with Pearson's chi(2) statistics. RESULTS: 124 patients. Mean FBC per patient was 1.3. A total of 101 cases (82%) were diagnosed with FBC, 15 by thoracotomy and 8 by FNAP. Global diagnostic profitability of the FBC was 0.82 and the transbronchial biopsy 0.76. There are no diagnostic profitability differences by size (< or = 2 cm vs > 2 cm) (0.81 vs 0.82 p = 0.96), site (peripheral vs central) (0.79 vs 0.85 p = 0.41) and histology (epidermoid vs adenocarcinoma) (0.89 vs 0.75 p = 0.21). CONCLUSION: Profitability of the FBC in malignant FPL in our hospital is elevated without differences by size, site or histology. In our site, the initial diagnostic approach of the FLP is done with FBC.

Enseñanza de las bases de la ecocardioscopia en el pregrado: los estudiantes como mentores / Teaching the basics of echocardiography in the undergraduate: students as mentors

Objetivo. Analizar la capacidad de los alumnos de Medicina para integrarse en la enseñanza práctica de los planos básicos en ecocardioscopia mediante un diseño de mentoría paritaria. Metodología. Treinta y seis alumnos de Medicina previamente adiestrados en la obtención de planos en ecocardioscopia (mentores) enseñaron al resto de alumnos de 5.o curso (n=126). La metodología docente incluyó 3 etapas: teoría (curso online), entrenamiento básico (3 sesiones con 15h de experiencia práctica en ultrasonidos y un mínimo de 20 estudios ecocardiográficos por mentor) y evaluación clínica objetiva estructurada (ECOE) en la que se puntuaba la adecuación de los planos ecográficos básicos y la correcta identificación de 16 estructuras cardiacas. Resultados. La puntuación media ponderada obtenida por los alumnos en la ECOE fue de 8,66±1,98 puntos (sobre un máximo de 10). Solo 10 alumnos (8,4%) obtuvieron una puntuación inferior a 5 y 15 (12,6%) inferior a 7. Cincuenta alumnos (42%) obtuvieron 10 puntos. La estructura más fácilmente identificada fue el ventrículo izquierdo en el plano paraesternal eje corto, con un 89,9% de respuestas correctas. La estructura peor identificada fue la válvula mitral en el plano subxifoideo, con un 69,7% de respuestas correctas. Conclusiones. La enseñanza basada en la mentoría paritaria consigue un nivel de entrenamiento adecuado en la obtención de planos básicos en la ecocardioscopia. El periodo de formación es relativamente corto. El sistema de mentoría paritaria puede facilitar la implantación de la enseñanza sobre aspectos básicos en ultrasonidos a un elevado número de alumnos de pregrado (AU)

Objective. To analyse the ability of medical students to incorporate the practical teaching of basic echocardiography planes using a peer mentoring design. Methodology. Thirty-six medical students previously trained in obtaining echocardiography planes (mentors) taught the other 5th-year students (n=126). The teaching methodology included three stages: theory (online course), basic training (three 15h sessions of practical experience in ultrasound and at least 20 echocardiographic studies per mentor) and objective structured clinical assessment (OSCA), which scored the appropriateness of the basic ultrasound planes and the correct identification of 16 cardiac structures. Results. The students’ weighted mean score in the OSCA was 8.66±1.98 points (out of 10). Only 10 students (8.4%) scored less than 5, and 15 (12.6%) scored less than 7. Fifty students (42%) scored 10 points. The most easily identified structure was the left ventricle in the short-axis parasternal plane, with 89.9% of correct answers. The most poorly identified structure was the mitral valve in the subxiphoid plane, with 69.7% of correct answers. Conclusions. Peer mentoring-based teaching achieves an appropriate level of training in obtaining basic echocardiography planes. The training period is relatively short. The peer mentoring system can facilitate the implementation of teaching on basic aspects of ultrasound to a large number of undergraduate students (AU)