Prognostic value of multimodal assessment of congestion in acute heart failure. / Valor pronóstico de la valoración multimodal de la congestión en la insuficiencia cardiaca aguda.

Systemic venous congestion is present in most cases of acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF). An accurate assessment of congestion is key to improve outcomes and avoid residual congestion. Physical examination has limitations for grading congestion; hence, new methods for assessing congestion have been developed. A multimodal approach, combining surrogate markers of congestion, may be a suitable strategy. The aim of this study was to compare the prognostic value of Amino terminal fragment of pro-Brain Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP), Carbohydrate cancer antigen 125 (CA125), lung ultrasound, relative plasma volume status (rPVS) and urea/Creatinine ratio (U/C ratio), to predict one-year all-cause mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective, observational analysis of 203 patients admitted at the Internal Medicine ward of a tertiary teaching Hospital due to ADHF, followed in monographic outclinic. Clinical data were obtained from hospital records. Therapeutic interventions followed exclusively the clinical judgement of the physician responsible for each patient. RESULTS: 203 patients were included for the final analysis between 2013 and 2018. Chronic heart failure (CHF) was present in 130 patients (65%); 51 patients (26.2%) had class III-IV of New York Heart Association (NYHA); 116 patients (60%) had HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Forty-two patients (21.6%) died during follow-up. NT-proBNP≥3804 pg/mL (HR 2.78 [1.27 - 6.08]; P=.010) and rPVS≥-4.54% (HR 2.74 [1.18 - 6.38]; P=.019), were independent predictors for 1-year all-cause mortality on top of CA125, lung ultrasound and U/C ratio. CONCLUSIONS: NT-proBNP and rPVS are independent predictors of one-year mortality among patients admitted for ADHF.

[Early response to idursulfase in a 31-year old male patient with Hunter syndrome]. / Respuesta precoz a idursulfasa en un paciente de 31 años de edad con síndrome de Hunter.

The response to Enzyme Replacement Therapy (ERT) in Hunter syndrome (MPS II) occurs early in most of the patients after its initiation and continues during the first 12-18 months. However, almost all the patients with MPS II have severe forms of the disease and death occurs prematurely. More than 90% of subjects die before 25 years, and only a minority will survive after the age of 30. There is very limited information on early response to ERT among adult patients with Hunter's syndrome. We report the case of a 31 year-old male with MPS II, with a remarkably severe joint disability, but mild cognitive impairment, who was treated with idursulfase for six months. The pattern of response observed, was similar to what can be expected in younger patients. The amelioration in joint mobility observed in this case suggests that older patients with advanced articular involvement may benefit from idursulfase, even when therapy is started in later stages of the disease.

Prognostic value of multimodal assessment of congestion in acute heart failure.

BACKGROUND: A physical examination has limited performance in estimating systemic venous congestion and predicting mortality in patients with heart failure. We have evaluated the usefulness of the N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), cancer antigen 125 (CA125), lung ultrasound findings, relative plasma volume (rPV) estimation, and the urea/creatinine ratio as surrogate parameters of venous congestion and predictors of mortality. METHODS: This work is a retrospective study of 203 patients admitted for acute heart failure in a tertiary hospital's internal medicine department with follow-up in a specialized outpatient clinic between 2013 and 2018. Clinical data were collected from hospital records. Treatment was decided upon according to the clinical judgment of each patient's attending physician. The main outcome measure was all-cause mortality at one year of follow-up. RESULTS: Patients' mean age was 78.8 years and 47% were male. A total of 130 (65%) patients had chronic heart failure, 51 (26.2%) patients were in New York Heart Association class III-IV, and 116 (60%) patients had preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. During follow-up, 42 (22%) patients died. Values of NT-proBNP≥3804pg/mL (HR 2.78 [1.27-6.08]; p=.010) and rPV≥-4.54% (HR 2.74 [1.18-6.38]; p=.019) were independent predictors of all-cause mortality after one year of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: NT-proBNP and rPV are independent predictors of one-year mortality among patients hospitalized for decompensated heart failure.

Follow-up results in a specialised consultation after discharge for heart failure. / Resultados del seguimiento en una consulta monográfica tras el alta por insuficiencia cardiaca.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure (HF), the condition still has high morbidity and mortality. Health education and the treatment of comorbidities have been shown to be effective, as has multidisciplinary care in specialised units, although this involves organisational and structural efforts that are not always feasible. We present the results of a simple outpatient consultation, focused on the specialised care of HF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The consultation included patients discharged after hospitalisation (index hospitalisation) for decompensated HF from an internal medicine department. The follow-up was conducted by internists especially dedicated (not exclusively) to HF and a nurse partially dedicated to HF. The follow-up consisted of fixed visits 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the discharge, with more visits on demand if needed. RESULTS: A total of 250 patients were included with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. The reduction in hospitalisations and emergency department visits was 56% and 61% (P<.05), respectively, for HF and 46% and 40% (P<.05), respectively, for any cause. Treatment optimisation was also achieved, with a significant increase in the evidence-based drug prescription rate and the reduction of other drugs, such as calcium antagonists. CONCLUSION: A simple model based on a specialised care consultation for HF is effective in reducing readmissions and optimising the treatment. The lack of healthcare resources should not be an obstacle for specialised care for patients with HF.

[Hypertensive urgencies: Description of clinical characteristics, management, variables associated with re-entry and short-term prognosis]. / Urgencias hipertensivas: descripción de características clínicas, manejo, variables asociadas a reconsulta y pronóstico a corto plazo.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the characteristics of hypertensive urgencies at the emergency department, as well as the variables associated with early re-admission (<7 days) and re-admission at one month (<30 days). METHODS: We conducted a descriptive, retrospective study of all patients who were admitted to the emergency department of a third level hospital during 2013. Subsequently, a case-control analysis was performed to analyze the group of patients with readmission. RESULTS: A total of 398 hypertensive urgencies were collected (32.4% men, mean age 67.75 years), which led to an incidence of 3.28/1000 visits. Eighty point nine percent had a previous history of hypertension, and the mean Charlson Index was 2.23. Headache was the most frequent symptom (49.1%), followed by dizziness/instability (29.5%) and nausea/vomiting (17.1%). Eighty point seven percent of the patients were prescribed pharmacological treatment. The rates of cardiovascular events or mortality at one month were low (2.26% and 0.25% respectively). Despite this, 7.53% and 11.31% of patients were readmitted in under 7 days or 30 days, respectively. The variables associated with readmission in the multivariate analysis were elevated systolic blood pressure in the first determination, previous hypertension and the presence of palpitations. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertensive emergencies are high-incidence conditions in the Emergency Department. In our study, patients with a prior diagnosis of hypertension and elevated systolic blood pressure at the first determination had a higher risk of re-entry and would be candidates for closer follow-up on discharge.

[Results of implementing a programme to improve the quality of the contents in hospital discharge reports in cases of heart failure]. / Resultados tras la implementación de un programa de mejora de la calidad del contenido de los informes de alta hospitalaria en insuficiencia cardiaca.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the information collected in hospital discharge reports (HDR) that are given to patients with a diagnosis of heart failure (HF), and demonstrate the improvement in the content of these reports after the introduction of an intervention. MATERIAL AND METHODS: HDR with HF as the main diagnosis issued by the Department of Internal Medicine were analysed, and the presence of the diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic data in these HDR was compared in a sample before and after the intervention, which consisted of reporting the results of analysis of the initial sample to the physicians. RESULTS: A total of 651 HDR (371 pre-intervention and 280 post-intervention) were analysed. Most of the HDR (over 70%) did not include the functional class. Most of the HDR did not include information about echocardiogram performed before the hospitalization period analysed, and most of the HDR that collected this information did not determine if the HF was diastolic or systolic. In the post-intervention sample there was a lower percentage of HDR that prescribed angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blocker ii (26% vs 32%, P<.001). In 30% of the pre-intervention sample and 38% of the post-intervention sample there was indication of beta-blockers (P=.027). CONCLUSIONS: A short discussion with the physicians responsible for patients with HF improves the inclusion of important data on the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment in the HDR.

Valor pronóstico de la valoración multimodal de la congestión en la insuficiencia cardiaca aguda / Prognostic value of multimodal assessment of congestion in acute heart failure

Fundamento El examen físico presenta una rentabilidad limitada en la estimación de la congestión venosa sistémica y en la predicción de la mortalidad de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca. Hemos evaluado la utilidad del fragmento amino terminal del péptido natriurético cerebral (NT-proBNP), del antígeno de cáncer 125 (CA125), los hallazgos de la ecografía pulmonar, la estimación del volumen plasmático relativo (VPr) y el cociente urea/creatinina, como parámetros subrogados de congestión venosa y predictores de mortalidad. Material y métodos Estudio retrospectivo de 203 pacientes ingresados por insuficiencia cardiaca aguda en el servicio de medicina interna de un hospital terciario, con seguimiento monográfico en consultas externas entre los años 2013 y 2018. Los datos clínicos se recogieron de los registros hospitalarios. Las intervenciones terapéuticas se guiaron por el criterio clínico del médico responsable de cada paciente. El desenlace principal fue mortalidad general tras un año de seguimiento. Resultados La edad media de los pacientes fue 78,8 años, 47% eran varones. Un total de 130 (65%) pacientes presentaban insuficiencia cardiaca crónica, 51 (26,2%) pacientes se encontraban en clase III-IV de la New York Heart Association y 116 (60%) pacientes presentaban fracción de eyección de ventrículo izquierdo preservada. Durante el seguimiento fallecieron 42 (22%) pacientes. Los valores de NT-proBNP≥3.804pg/mL (HR 2,78 [1,27-6,08]; p=0,010) y el VPr≥–4,54% (HR 2,74 [1,18-6,38]; p=0,019) fueron predictores independientes de mortalidad general tras un año de seguimiento. Conclusiones El NT-proBNP y el VPr son predictores independientes de mortalidad a un año entre los pacientes ingresados por insuficiencia cardiaca descompensada (AU)

Background A physical examination has limited performance in estimating systemic venous congestion and predicting mortality in patients with heart failure. We have evaluated the usefulness of the N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), cancer antigen 125 (CA125), lung ultrasound findings, relative plasma volume (rPV) estimation, and the urea/creatinine ratio as surrogate parameters of venous congestion and predictors of mortality. Methods This work is a retrospective study of 203 patients admitted for acute heart failure in a tertiary hospital's internal medicine department with follow-up in a specialized outpatient clinic between 2013 and 2018. Clinical data were collected from hospital records. Treatment was decided upon according to the clinical judgment of each patient's attending physician. The main outcome measure was all-cause mortality at one year of follow-up. Results Patients’ mean age was 78.8 years and 47% were male. A total of 130 (65%) patients had chronic heart failure, 51 (26.2%) patients were in New York Heart Association class III-IV, and 116 (60%) patients had preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. During follow-up, 42 (22%) patients died. Values ??of NT-proBNP≥3,804pg/mL (HR 2.78 [1.27-6.08]; p=.010) and rPV ≥–4.54% (HR 2.74 [1.18-6.38]; p=.019) were independent predictors of all-cause mortality after one year of follow-up. Conclusions NT-proBNP and rPV are independent predictors of one-year mortality among patients hospitalized for decompensated heart failure (AU)

Transfusión en urgencias ¿podemos mejorar? / Transfusion in the emergency department. Can it be improved?

No disponible

[Metformin-associated hepatotoxicity]. / Hepatotoxicidad por metformina.

Metformin is an oral biguanide widely used in the management of patients with type 2 diabetes. It produces non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms in 10-30% of the patients. Lactic acidosis is the most serious side effect, so it must not be administered to patients with renal, liver, or heart insufficiency. Only a few cases of hepatotoxicity due to this drug have been documented. We report the case of a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus and recent use of metformin who developed serious liver injury, followed by a favorable evolution.

Resultados tras la implementación de un programa de mejora de la calidad del contenido de los informes de alta hospitalaria en insuficiencia cardiaca / Results of implementing a programme to improve the quality of the contents in hospital discharge reports in cases of heart failure

Objetivos: Analizar la información recogida en los informes de alta hospitalaria (IAH) que se entregan a los pacientes con diagnóstico principal de insuficiencia cardiaca (IC), y demostrar la mejora en el contenido de estos informes después de la intervención realizada. Material y métodos: Se incluyeron los IAH con diagnóstico de IC emitidos por el servicio de Medicina Interna y se comparó la presencia de datos diagnósticos, pronósticos y terapéuticos en estos IAH, en una muestra anterior y otra posterior a una intervención, consistente en la comunicación de los resultados obtenidos del análisis de la muestra inicial a los facultativos del servicio. Resultados: Se analizaron 651 IAH (371 preintervención y 280 postintervención). La mayoría de los IAH (> 70%) no recogían la clase funcional. La mayor parte de los IAH no contenían información sobre la realización de un ecocardiograma previo al ingreso analizado, y de los IAH que recogieron información ecocardiográfica previa la mayoría no permitían determinar si la IC era diastólica o sistólica. En la muestra posterior hubo un menor porcentaje de IAH que prescribían inhibidores de la enzima convertidora de angiotensina o antagonistas de los receptores de angiotensina ii (26% vs. 32%; p < 0,001). En el 30% de la muestra previa y en el 38% de la posterior había indicación de betabloqueantes (p = 0,027). Conclusiones: La realización de una pequeña intervención informativa a los facultativos responsables de los pacientes con IC mejora la recogida de datos importantes diagnósticos, pronósticos y terapéuticos en los IAH (AU)

Objectives: To analyse the information collected in hospital discharge reports (HDR) that are given to patients with a diagnosis of heart failure (HF), and demonstrate the improvement in the content of these reports after the introduction of an intervention. Material and methods: HDR with HF as the main diagnosis issued by the Department of Internal Medicine were analysed, and the presence of the diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic data in these HDR was compared in a sample before and after the intervention, which consisted of reporting the results of analysis of the initial sample to the physicians. Results: A total of 651 HDR (371 pre-intervention and 280 post-intervention) were analysed. Most of the HDR (over 70%) did not include the functional class. Most of the HDR did not include information about echocardiogram performed before the hospitalization period analysed, and most of the HDR that collected this information did not determine if the HF was diastolic or systolic. In the post-intervention sample there was a lower percentage of HDR that prescribed angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blocker ii (26% vs 32%, P < .001). In 30% of the pre-intervention sample and 38% of the post-intervention sample there was indication of beta-blockers (P = .027). Conclusions: A short discussion with the physicians responsible for patients with HF improves the inclusion of important data on the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment in the HDR (AU)

Lung carcinosarcoma.

Lung carcinosarcoma is a neoplasm of high grade composed of epithelial and mesenchymal cells. It is exceptional; and usually affects men who are smokers, between the fifth and eighth decades of life. Medical treatment, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are not active in this kind of tumour, so surgery is the treatment of choice. Prognosis is poor with survival rates at 6 months around 27%. We describe the diagnostic process and the clinical outcome of a patient with lung carcinosarcoma with several paraneoplastic syndromes.

Resultados del seguimiento en una consulta monográfica tras el alta por insuficiencia cardiaca / Follow-up results in a specialised consultation after discharge for heart failure

INTRODUCCIÓN: A pesar de los avances en el diagnóstico y el tratamiento, la insuficiencia cardiaca (IC) sigue teniendo una alta morbimortalidad. El tratamiento de las comorbilidades y la educación sanitaria se han demostrado eficaces, así como la atención multidisciplinar, en unidades especializadas, aunque ello implica un esfuerzo organizativo y estructural no siempre disponible. Presentamos los resultados de una consulta ambulatoria simple, centrada en la atención monográfica a la IC. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: La consulta incluyó a pacientes dados de alta tras una hospitalización (ingreso índice) por descompensación de IC en el servicio de Medicina Interna. El seguimiento se realizó por internistas con especial dedicación (no exclusiva) en IC y una enfermera con dedicación compartida. El seguimiento consistió en visitas fijas 1, 3, 6 y 12 meses tras el alta, más visitas a demanda en caso de necesidad. RESULTADOS: Se incluyó a 250 pacientes con un seguimiento mínimo de un año. La disminución de los ingresos y las visitas a Urgencias por IC fue del 56 y el 61% (p < 0,05), respectivamente, y del 46 y el 40% (p < 0,05) por cualquier causa. Además, se consiguió una optimización del tratamiento, con un aumento significativo en el porcentaje de prescripción de fármacos basados en la evidencia y reducción de otros, como calcioantagonistas. CONCLUSIÓN: Un modelo sencillo basado en la atención monográfica a la IC es eficaz en la reducción de reingresos y la optimización del tratamiento. La carencia de recursos asistenciales no debería suponer un obstáculo para una atención monográfica a pacientes con IC

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure (HF), the condition still has high morbidity and mortality. Health education and the treatment of comorbidities have been shown to be effective, as has multidisciplinary care in specialised units, although this involves organisational and structural efforts that are not always feasible. We present the results of a simple outpatient consultation, focused on the specialised care of HF. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The consultation included patients discharged after hospitalisation (index hospitalisation) for decompensated HF from an internal medicine department. The follow-up was conducted by internists especially dedicated (not exclusively) to HF and a nurse partially dedicated to HF. The follow-up consisted of fixed visits 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the discharge, with more visits on demand if needed. RESULTS: A total of 250 patients were included with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. The reduction in hospitalisations and emergency department visits was 56% and 61% (P<.05), respectively, for HF and 46% and 40% (P<.05), respectively, for any cause. Treatment optimisation was also achieved, with a significant increase in the evidence-based drug prescription rate and the reduction of other drugs, such as calcium antagonists. CONCLUSION: A simple model based on a specialised care consultation for HF is effective in reducing readmissions and optimising the treatment. The lack of healthcare resources should not be an obstacle for specialised care for patients with HF

Urgencias hipertensivas: descripción de características clínicas, manejo, variables asociadas a reconsulta y pronóstico a corto plazo / Hypertensive urgencies: Description of clinical characteristics, management, variables associated with re-entry and short-term prognosis

Objetivos: Describir las características de las urgencias hipertensivas atendidas en un Servicio de Urgencias, así como las variables asociadas a reconsulta precoz (< 7 días) y al mes (< 30 días). Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo de todos los pacientes atendidos en el Servicio de Urgencias de un hospital de tercer nivel durante el año 2013. Posteriormente se realizó un análisis de casos-control para analizar el grupo de pacientes con reconsulta. Resultados: Se analizaron un total de 398 urgencias hipertensivas (32,4% hombres, edad media 67,8 años) lo que representó una incidencia de 3,28/1.000 visitas. Un 80,9% eran hipertensos previamente, siendo 2,23 la media de Índice de Charlson. La cefalea fue el síntoma más frecuente (49,1%), seguida del mareo/inestabilidad (29,5%) y las náuseas/vómitos (17,1%). Un 80,7% de los pacientes recibieron tratamiento farmacológico. Las tasas de eventos cardiovasculares o mortalidad al mes fueron bajas (2,26% y 0,25% respectivamente). Pese a ello, un 7,53% y un 11,31% de los pacientes reingresaron antes de 7 días o 30 días, respectivamente. Las variables asociadas a reconsulta en el análisis multivariante fueron la presión arterial sistólica elevada en la primera determinación, la hipertensión arterial previa y la presencia de palpitaciones. Conclusiones: Las urgencias hipertensivas son entidades de elevada incidencia en los Servicios de Urgencias. En nuestro estudio, los individuos con diagnóstico previo de hipertensión arterial y la presión arterial sistólica elevada en la primera determinación tienen mayor riesgo de reconsulta y serían candidatos a un seguimiento más estrecho al alta

Objectives: To describe the characteristics of hypertensive urgencies at the emergency department, as well as the variables associated with early re-admission (<7 days) and re-admission at one month (<30 days). Methods: We conducted a descriptive, retrospective study of all patients who were admitted to the emergency department of a third level hospital during 2013. Subsequently, a case-control analysis was performed to analyze the group of patients with readmission. Results: A total of 398 hypertensive urgencies were collected (32.4% men, mean age 67.75 years), which led to an incidence of 3.28/1000 visits. Eighty point nine percent had a previous history of hypertension, and the mean Charlson Index was 2.23. Headache was the most frequent symptom (49.1%), followed by dizziness/instability (29.5%) and nausea/vomiting (17.1%). Eighty point seven percent of the patients were prescribed pharmacological treatment. The rates of cardiovascular events or mortality at one month were low (2.26% and 0.25% respectively). Despite this, 7.53% and 11.31% of patients were readmitted in under 7 days or 30 days, respectively. The variables associated with readmission in the multivariate analysis were elevated systolic blood pressure in the first determination, previous hypertension and the presence of palpitations. Conclusions: Hypertensive emergencies are high-incidence conditions in the Emergency Department. In our study, patients with a prior diagnosis of hypertension and elevated systolic blood pressure at the first determination had a higher risk of re-entry and would be candidates for closer follow-up on discharge

Hepatotoxicidad por metformina / Metformin-associated hepatotoxicity

La metformina es un antidiabético oral de la familia de las biguanidas que se utiliza ampliamente en el tratamiento de pacientes con diabetes de tipo 2. Sus principales efectos secundarios son alteraciones inespecíficas gastrointestinales (10-30%). La acidosis láctica es el efecto secundario más grave, por lo que no debe administrarse a los pacientes con insuficiencia renal, hepática o cardiovascular grave. Se ha descrito de forma excepcional hepatotoxicidad por este fármaco. Presentamos el caso clínico de una paciente con diabetes mellitus de tipo 2 e inicio reciente de tratamiento con metformina que desarrolló un cuadro de hepatotoxicidad grave que siguió una evolución posterior favorable (AU)

Metformin is an oral biguanide widely used in the management of patients with type 2 diabetes. It produces non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms in 10-30% of the patients. Lactic acidosis is the most serious side effect, so it must not be administered to patients with renal, liver, or heart insufficiency. Only a few cases of hepatotoxicity due to this drug have been documented. We report the case of a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus and recent use of metformin who developed serious liver injury, followed by a favorable evolution (AU)

Calcinosis cutis en paciente adulto con dermatomiositis / Calcinosis cutis in adult patient with dermatomyositis

No disponible