Characterization of suicidal behavior in Coquimbo, Chile, between 2018 and 2020. / Caracterización de la conducta suicida en población general de la Región de Coquimbo (Chile) entre 2018 y 2020.

Introduction: Suicidal behavior is a public health problem worldwide. The World Health Organization estimated 700 000 deaths for the year 2021. Objective: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of suicidal behavior and describe its related factors in the Coquimbo Region, Chile, between 2018 and 2020. Methods: 2190 suicide attempt notifications from the regional epidemiological surveillance system were analyzed, corresponding to 1781 people, along with 217 reports from the Forensic Medical Service of people who died by suicide. Results: The overall suicide rate for the region during that period was 9.79 deaths per 100 000 inhabitants. The 2018 rates were standardized according to available information, with direct methods for the regional rate (9.55 per 100 000 inhabitants) and indirect methods for the communes. Rural communes presented higher rates than urban ones. Women showed a higher risk of attempts (OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.23 to 1.33) and a lower risk of suicide compared to men (0.086; 0.06 to 0.13). Young people had a higher risk of suicide attempts and a lower risk of suicide compared to older people. The increased suicide rates in older people (70 to 79 years) during 2020 are noteworthy. Basic education level is a risk variable for suicide (2.21; from 1.15 to 4.23), compared to having higher education. Previous suicide attempts and psychiatric pathology are risk factors. Conclusions: Suicide prevalence and related factors are similar to those reported in other studies and national reports, highlighting rurality and higher risk in older male adults. In contrast to suicides, attempts are more frequent in women and young people. A history of mental health problems, previous attempts, and family violence are risk factors for both outcomes. Knowing the patterns of suicidal behavior in the population is fundamental for its prevention.

Introducción: La conducta suicida es un problema de salud pública mundial. La Organización Mundial de la Salud estimó en 700 000 los fallecimientos por suicidio para el año 2021. Objetivo: El propósito fue estimar la prevalencia de la conducta suicida y describir sus factores relacionados en la Región de Coquimbo, Chile, entre los años 2018 y 2020. Métodos: Se analizaron 2190 notificaciones por intentos suicidas del sistema de vigilancia epidemiológica regional, que correspondieron a 1781 personas; junto con 217 informes de personas fallecidas por suicidio del Servicio Médico Legal. Resultados: La tasa global de suicidio para la región en el período fue de 9,79 fallecimientos por 100 000 habitantes. Se estandarizaron las tasas del año 2018 según la información disponible, con método directo para la tasa regional (9,55 por 100 000 habitantes) e indirecto para las comunas. Las comunas rurales presentaron mayores tasas que las urbanas. Las mujeres mostraron mayor riesgo de intentos (: 1,28; intervalo de confianza 95%: de 1,23 a 1,33) y menor riesgo de suicidio (0,086; de 0,06 a 0,13) que los hombres. Las personas jóvenes presentaron mayor riesgo de intentos y menor riesgo de suicidio, comparado con personas mayores. Destaca el aumento de la tasa de suicidio en personas mayores (de 70 a 79 años) durante el año 2020. El nivel educacional básico es una variable de riesgo para suicidio (2,21; de 1,15 a 4,23), comparado con educación universitaria. Los intentos de suicidio previos y patología psiquiátrica son factores de riesgo. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de suicidio y los factores relacionados son similares a lo reportado en otros estudios e informes nacionales, destacando la ruralidad y mayor riesgo en varones de edad adulta avanzada. A diferencia de los suicidios, los intentos son más frecuentes en mujeres y personas jóvenes. Antecedentes de problemas de salud mental, intentos previos y violencia en la familia son factores de riesgo para ambas conductas. Conocer el comportamiento de la conducta suicida en la población es fundamental para su prevención.

Utility and feasibility of ultrasound-guided access in patients with critical limb ischemia.

BACKGROUND: Patients with advanced peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and critical limb ischemia (CLI) require immediate revascularization to improve blood flow and prevent amputation. Vascular, and especially tibial, access is arguably a very important part of the procedure. Utilization of ultrasound (US) guidance to access the peripheral vessels will maximize success and decrease the risk of complications. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of patients admitted to our institution between 2010 and 2011. Eighty-six patients with 191 lesions underwent revascularization for advanced PVD and CLI. US guidance was utilized to access the vascular bed in an antegrade or retrograde fashion in 100% of these patients. Data collected included success rate and time to access using US. Immediate in hospital and 30 day outcomes were also documented. RESULTS: The average age of patients was 69.8 years, with 69.7% male patients. All tibial access (33.7%) was obtained under US guidance. Obtaining vascular access using US was achieved in 95.3% of patients. At discharge, access site complications were limited to one patient (1.1%) with a pseudoaneurysm; no access complications related to the tibial vessels. At 30 days, there was one major amputation (1.1%) and one vascular access complication (1.1%). CONCLUSION: US guided access is a feasible and safe procedure that can aid in accessing vascular conduits in patients with CLI. Applying this technique across the board in CLI patients decreases the risk of immediate complications and facilitates accessing tibial arteries.

Caracterización de la conducta suicida en población general de la Región de Coquimbo (Chile) entre 2018 y 2020 / Characterization of suicidal behavior in Coquimbo, Chile, between 2018 and 2020

Introducción La conducta suicida es un problema de salud pública mundial. La Organización Mundial de la Salud estimó en 700 000 los fallecimientos por suicidio para el año 2021. Objetivo El propósito fue estimar la prevalencia de la conducta suicida y describir sus factores relacionados en la Región de Coquimbo, Chile, entre los años 2018 y 2020. Métodos Se analizaron 2190 notificaciones por intentos suicidas del sistema de vigilancia epidemiológica regional, que correspondieron a 1781 personas; junto con 217 informes de personas fallecidas por suicidio del Servicio Médico Legal. Resultados La tasa global de suicidio para la región en el período fue de 9,79 fallecimientos por 100 000 habitantes. Se estandarizaron las tasas del año 2018 según la información disponible, con método directo para la tasa regional (9,55 por 100 000 habitantes) e indirecto para las comunas. Las comunas rurales presentaron mayores tasas que las urbanas. Las mujeres mostraron mayor riesgo de intentos (: 1,28; intervalo de confianza 95%: de 1,23 a 1,33) y menor riesgo de suicidio (0,086; de 0,06 a 0,13) que los hombres. Las personas jóvenes presentaron mayor riesgo de intentos y menor riesgo de suicidio, comparado con personas mayores. Destaca el aumento de la tasa de suicidio en personas mayores (de 70 a 79 años) durante el año 2020. El nivel educacional básico es una variable de riesgo para suicidio (2,21; de 1,15 a 4,23), comparado con educación universitaria. Los intentos de suicidio previos y patología psiquiátrica son factores de riesgo. Conclusiones La prevalencia de suicidio y los factores relacionados son similares a lo reportado en otros estudios e informes nacionales, destacando la ruralidad y mayor riesgo en varones de edad adulta avanzada. A diferencia de los suicidios, los intentos son más frecuentes en mujeres y personas jóvenes. Antecedentes de problemas de salud mental, intentos previos y violencia en la familia son factores de riesgo para ambas conductas. Conocer el comportamiento de la conducta suicida en la población es fundamental para su prevención.

Introduction Suicidal behavior is a public health problem worldwide. The World Health Organization estimated 700 000 deaths for the year 2021. Objective This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of suicidal behavior and describe its related factors in the Coquimbo Region, Chile, between 2018 and 2020. Methods 2190 suicide attempt notifications from the regional epidemiological surveillance system were analyzed, corresponding to 1781 people, along with 217 reports from the Forensic Medical Service of people who died by suicide. Results The overall suicide rate for the region during that period was 9.79 deaths per 100 000 inhabitants. The 2018 rates were standardized according to available information, with direct methods for the regional rate (9.55 per 100 000 inhabitants) and indirect methods for the communes. Rural communes presented higher rates than urban ones. Women showed a higher risk of attempts (OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.23 to 1.33) and a lower risk of suicide compared to men (0.086; 0.06 to 0.13). Young people had a higher risk of suicide attempts and a lower risk of suicide compared to older people. The increased suicide rates in older people (70 to 79 years) during 2020 are noteworthy. Basic education level is a risk variable for suicide (2.21; from 1.15 to 4.23), compared to having higher education. Previous suicide attempts and psychiatric pathology are risk factors. Conclusions Suicide prevalence and related factors are similar to those reported in other studies and national reports, highlighting rurality and higher risk in older male adults. In contrast to suicides, attempts are more frequent in women and young people. A history of mental health problems, previous attempts, and family violence are risk factors for both outcomes. Knowing the patterns of suicidal behavior in the population is fundamental for its prevention.

Predictive value of 16-slice multidetector spiral computed tomography to detect significant obstructive coronary artery disease in patients at high risk for coronary artery disease: patient-versus segment-based analysis.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we investigated the diagnostic value and limitations of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT)-based noninvasive detection of significant obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) in a consecutive high-risk patient population with inclusion of all coronary segments. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a prospective, blinded, standard cross-sectional technology assessment, a cohort of 33 consecutive patients with a positive stress test result underwent 16-slice MDCT and selective coronary angiography for the detection of significant obstructive CAD. We assessed the diagnostic accuracy of MDCT in a segment-based and a patient-based model and determined the impact of stenosis location and the presence of calcification on diagnostic accuracy in both models. Analysis of all 530 coronary segments demonstrated moderate sensitivity (63%) and excellent specificity (96%) with a moderate positive predictive value of 64% and an excellent negative predictive value (NPV) of 96% for the detection of significant coronary stenoses. Assessment restricted to either proximal coronary segments or segments with excellent image quality (83% of all segments) led to an increase in sensitivity (70% and 82%, respectively), and high specificities were maintained (94% and 93%, respectively). In a patient-based model, the NPV of MDCT for significant CAD was limited to 75%. Coronary calcification was the major cause of false-positive findings (94%). CONCLUSIONS: For all coronary segments included, 16-slice MDCT has moderate diagnostic value for the detection of significant obstructive coronary artery stenosis in a population with a high prevalence of CAD. The moderate NPV of patient-based detection of CAD suggests a limited impact on clinical decision-making in high-risk populations.

Therapeutic myocardial angiogenesis with vascular endothelial growth factors.

Emerging evidence has shown that administration of angiogenic growth factors, either as recombinant protein or by gene transfer, can augment tissue perfusion through neovascularization in animal models of myocardial and hindlimb ischemia. Many cytokines have angiogenic activity; one of those that have been best studied in animal models and clinical trials is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF has been known to be a key regulator of physiologic and pathologic angiogenesis associated with tumor. Recently the effect of VEGF is not restricted to the direct angiogenic effect in vivo but includes mobilization of bone-marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells and augmentation of postnatal vasculogenesis in situ. Clinical trials of therapeutic angiogenesis with VEGF in patients with end-stage coronary artery disease have shown increases in exercise time and reductions in anginal symptoms and have provided objective evidence of improved perfusion and left ventricular function. Larger scale placebo-controlled trials with recombinant protein (rhVEGF165) have been limited to intracoronary and intravenous administration and have shown favorable trends in exercise time and angina frequency. Small-scale, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials of gene transfer (phVEGF-2) via thoracotomy or percutaneous intramyocardial delivery demonstrated significant improvement of both subjective symptoms and objective measures of myocardial ischemia. Both therapeutic modalities appear to be safe and well tolerated. Further studies are required to determine the optimal dose, formulation, route of administration, and combinations of growth factors and the utility of adjunctive endothelial progenitor cell or other stem cell supplementation, to provide safe and effective therapeutic myocardial neovascularization.