Liver Re-transplantation in Adults: Indications and Outcomes Analysis of a 23-year Experience in a Single Center in Argentina.

Background: Liver re-transplantation (re-LT) represents the only treatment for patients with irreversible graft failure. Objective: The aim of the current study was to describe the outcomes of both, patient and graft, after re- LT, at a high-volume referral center. Methods: Our population consisted of patients, with liver disease, who underwent re-LT in our institution between January 1996 and December 2019. Results: 49 patients met the inclusion criteria. The patient's overall survival (OS) for the first year was 85% (Confidence Intervals (CI) 71-92) and 70% at five years (CI 53-82). In our population, three (6.12%) patients presented loss of graft and were included again in the transplant list; of these, one agreed to a new transplant while the remaining two died. This gave us graft survival results similar to those obtained for the re-LT patient; 85% at one year (CI 71-92) and 70% at 5 years (CI 53-82). Conclusion: Our study shows that re-LT is a valid and safe treatment for both early graft dysfunction and for transplanted patients who again present end-stage liver disease, showing a satisfactory long-term evolution, with parameters comparable to primary transplantation.

Doce años de experiencia en trasplante hepático con donante vivo relacionado en el Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires: evolución y resultados / Twelve years experience with living donor transplantation: follow-up and results

Antecedentes: El trasplante hepático es el tratamiento de elección para pacientes con enfermedad hepática terminal. La disponibilidad de órganos es el factor limitante para su empleo. El empleo de injertos provenientes de donantes vivos desde hace años se aplica a la población pediátrica y en los últimos años se ha generalizado su uso en receptores adultos. Objetivo: Analizar la experiencia con el empleo de esta técnica en nuestro programa de trasplante. Lugar de aplicación: Hospital Privado de la comunidad. Diseño: Estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo. Población: 458 pacientes a los que se le realizaron 492 trasplantes hepáticos ortotópicos (TOH). 79 (TOH) con donante vivo (50 niños y 29 adultos). Método: Se realizó la evaluación de los donantes con exámenes de laboratorio. Ecodoppler y tac abdominal, posteriormente arteriografía y biopsia hepática en caso de sospechar hepatopatía. Los niños fueron trasplantados con segmentos II y III (n = 45) o con monosegmento (n = 5). 28 adultos recibieron hígado derecho (LD) y uno hígado izquierdo (LI). Resultados: De 120 potenciales donantes pediátricos 60 fueron rechazados (50 por ciento). Presentaron complicaciones 6 de los 50 (12 por ciento). Se evaluaron 71 potenciales donantes para adultos, fueron rechazados 25 (35,2 por ciento). Cinco de los 29 (17,2 por ciento) donantes presentaron complicaciones. La indicación más frecuente fue la atresia de vías biliares en la población pediátrica (65,9 por ciento) y cirrosis por Virus C en los adultos (44 por ciento). Las complicaciones vasculares en la población pediátrica ocurrieron en 8 pacientes (16 por ciento) y las biliares en 14 (28 por ciento). La supervivencia actuarial de pacientes e injertos a 10 años fue de 94 por ciento y 90 por ciento respectivamente. Los adultos presentaron complicaciones vasculares en el 6,89 por ciento y biliares en el 37 por ciento. La supervivencia actuarial de pacientes e injertos fue de 89,8 por ciento y 89,3 por ciento al año y de 83,7 por...

Doce años de experiencia en trasplante hepático con donante vivo relacionado en el Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires: evolución y resultados / Twelve years experience with living donor transplantation: follow-up and results

Antecedentes: El trasplante hepático es el tratamiento de elección para pacientes con enfermedad hepática terminal. La disponibilidad de órganos es el factor limitante para su empleo. El empleo de injertos provenientes de donantes vivos desde hace años se aplica a la población pediátrica y en los últimos años se ha generalizado su uso en receptores adultos. Objetivo: Analizar la experiencia con el empleo de esta técnica en nuestro programa de trasplante. Lugar de aplicación: Hospital Privado de la comunidad. Diseño: Estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo. Población: 458 pacientes a los que se le realizaron 492 trasplantes hepáticos ortotópicos (TOH). 79 (TOH) con donante vivo (50 niños y 29 adultos). Método: Se realizó la evaluación de los donantes con exámenes de laboratorio. Ecodoppler y tac abdominal, posteriormente arteriografía y biopsia hepática en caso de sospechar hepatopatía. Los niños fueron trasplantados con segmentos II y III (n = 45) o con monosegmento (n = 5). 28 adultos recibieron hígado derecho (LD) y uno hígado izquierdo (LI). Resultados: De 120 potenciales donantes pediátricos 60 fueron rechazados (50 por ciento). Presentaron complicaciones 6 de los 50 (12 por ciento). Se evaluaron 71 potenciales donantes para adultos, fueron rechazados 25 (35,2 por ciento). Cinco de los 29 (17,2 por ciento) donantes presentaron complicaciones. La indicación más frecuente fue la atresia de vías biliares en la población pediátrica (65,9 por ciento) y cirrosis por Virus C en los adultos (44 por ciento). Las complicaciones vasculares en la población pediátrica ocurrieron en 8 pacientes (16 por ciento) y las biliares en 14 (28 por ciento). La supervivencia actuarial de pacientes e injertos a 10 años fue de 94 por ciento y 90 por ciento respectivamente. Los adultos presentaron complicaciones vasculares en el 6,89 por ciento y biliares en el 37 por ciento. La supervivencia actuarial de pacientes e injertos fue de 89,8 por ciento y 89,3 por ciento al año y de 83,7 por...(AU)

Doce años de experiencia en trasplante hepático con donante vivo relacionado en el Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires: evolución y resultados / Twelve years experience with living donor transplantation: follow-up and results

Antecedentes: El trasplante hepático es el tratamiento de elección para pacientes con enfermedad hepática terminal. La disponibilidad de órganos es el factor limitante para su empleo. El empleo de injertos provenientes de donantes vivos desde hace años se aplica a la población pediátrica y en los últimos años se ha generalizado su uso en receptores adultos. Objetivo: Analizar la experiencia con el empleo de esta técnica en nuestro programa de trasplante. Lugar de aplicación: Hospital Privado de la comunidad. Diseño: Estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo. Población: 458 pacientes a los que se le realizaron 492 trasplantes hepáticos ortotópicos (TOH). 79 (TOH) con donante vivo (50 niños y 29 adultos). Método: Se realizó la evaluación de los donantes con exámenes de laboratorio. Ecodoppler y tac abdominal, posteriormente arteriografía y biopsia hepática en caso de sospechar hepatopatía. Los niños fueron trasplantados con segmentos II y III (n = 45) o con monosegmento (n = 5). 28 adultos recibieron hígado derecho (LD) y uno hígado izquierdo (LI). Resultados: De 120 potenciales donantes pediátricos 60 fueron rechazados (50 por ciento). Presentaron complicaciones 6 de los 50 (12 por ciento). Se evaluaron 71 potenciales donantes para adultos, fueron rechazados 25 (35,2 por ciento). Cinco de los 29 (17,2 por ciento) donantes presentaron complicaciones. La indicación más frecuente fue la atresia de vías biliares en la población pediátrica (65,9 por ciento) y cirrosis por Virus C en los adultos (44 por ciento). Las complicaciones vasculares en la población pediátrica ocurrieron en 8 pacientes (16 por ciento) y las biliares en 14 (28 por ciento). La supervivencia actuarial de pacientes e injertos a 10 años fue de 94 por ciento y 90 por ciento respectivamente. Los adultos presentaron complicaciones vasculares en el 6,89 por ciento y biliares en el 37 por ciento. La supervivencia actuarial de pacientes e injertos fue de 89,8 por ciento y 89,3 por ciento al año y de 83,7 por...(AU)

Knowledge of blood pressure levels and targets in patients with coronary artery disease in the USA.

Little is known about patient awareness of nationally recommended blood pressure targets, especially among patients with cardiac disease. To examine this issue, we interviewed 738 patients hospitalized with coronary artery disease to assess their knowledge of their systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels as well as corresponding national targets. We used bivariate and multivariate analyses to determine if any patient demographic or clinical characteristics were associated with blood pressure knowledge. Only 66.1% of patients could recall their own systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels. Only 48.9% of all patients could correctly name targets for these values. Knowledge of target blood pressure levels was particularly poor among patients who were female (odds ratio (OR) 0.69; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.49-0.98), aged > or =60 years (OR 0.70, CI 0.51-0.97), without any college education (OR 0.48, CI 0.35-0.65), without a documented history of hypertension (OR 0.57, CI 0.39-0.84), and with known diabetes (OR 0.46, CI 0.33-0.66). Patients in the highest risk group, according to Joint National Committee guidelines stratification, were no more knowledgeable about their blood pressure levels and targets than lower risk patients. A significant proportion of patients hospitalized with coronary artery disease do not know their own blood pressure levels or targets. Current blood pressure education efforts appear inadequate, particularly for certain patient subgroups in which hypertension is an important modifiable risk factor.

['In vitro' activity of different antimicrobial agents on Gram-negative nonfermentative bacilli, excluding Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp]. / Actividad "in vitro" de diferentes antibacterianos sobre bacilos gram-negativos no fermentadores, excluidos Pseudomonas aeruginosa y Acinetobacter spp.

Gram-negative nonfermentative bacilli (NFB) are widely spread in the environment. Besides of difficulties for identification, they often have a marked multiresistance to antimicrobial agents, including those active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The objective of this study was to evaluate the 'in vitro' activity of different antimicrobial agents on 177 gram-negative nonfermentative bacilli isolates (excluding Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp.) isolated from clinical specimens. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined according to the Mueller Hinton agar dilution method against the following antibacterial agents: ampicillin, piperacillin, piperacillin-tazobactam, sulbactam, cefoperazone, cefoperazone-sulbactam, ceftazidime, cefepime, aztreonam, imipenem, meropenem, colistin, gentamicin, amikacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, rifampin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin and minocycline. Seven isolates: Sphingobacterium multivorum (2), Sphingobacteriumspiritivorum (1), Empedobacterbrevis (1), Weeksella virosa (1), Bergeyella zoohelcum (1) and Oligella urethralis (1), were tested for amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and ampicillin-sulbactam susceptibility, and susceptibility to cefoperazone or sulbactam was not determined. Multiresistance was generally found in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Burkholderia cepacia, Chryseobacterium spp., Myroides spp., Achromobacter xylosoxidans, and Ochrobactrum anthropi isolates. On the other hand, Pseudomonas stutzeri, Shewanella putrefaciens-algae, Sphingomonas paucimobilis, and Pseudomonas oryzihabitans, Bergeyella zoohelcum, Weeksella virosa and Oligella urethralis were widely susceptible to the antibacterial agents tested. As a result of the wide variation in antimicrobial susceptibility shown by different species, a test on susceptibility to different antibacterial agents is essential in order to select an adequate therapy. The marked multiresistance evidenced by some species, prompts the need to develop new antimicrobial agents active against this group of bacteria and to search for synergistic combinations.

Actividad "in vitro" de diferentes antibacterianos sobre bacilos gram-negativos no fermentadores, excluidos Pseudomonas aeruginosa y Acinetobacter spp / ‘In vitro' activity of different antimicrobial agents on gram-negative nonfermentative bacilli, excluding Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp

Los bacilos gram-negativos no fermentadores se encuentran ampliamente distribuidos en el medio ambiente. Además de causar dificultades en la identificación, a menudo presentan una marcada multirresistencia a los antimicrobianos incluyendo aquellos activos frente a Pseudomonas aeruginosa. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la actividad "in vitro" de diferentes antimicrobianos sobre 177 aislamientos de bacilos gram-negativos no fermentadores (excluidos Pseudomonas aeruginosa y Acinetobacter spp.) provenientes de especimenes clínicos. Las concentraciones inhibitorias mínimas (CIM) se determinaron por el método de dilución en agar Mueller Hinton frente a los siguientes antibacterianos: ampicilina, piperacilina, piperacilina-tazobactama, sulbactama, cefoperazona, cefoperazona-sulbactama, ceftazidima, cefepima, aztreonam, imipenem, meropenem, colistina, gentamicina, amicacina, trimetoprima-sulfametoxazol (TMS), cloranfenicol, eritromicina, rifampicina, norfloxacina, ciprofloxacina y minociclina. Sobre siete aislamientos: Sphingobacterium multivorum (2), Sphingobacterium spiritivorum (1), Empedobacter brevis (1), Weeksella virosa (1), Bergeyella zoohelcum (1) y Oligella urethralis (1) se ensayó la sensibilidad a amoxicilina-ácido clavulánico y ampicilina-sulbactama y no se determinó la actividad de cefoperazona ni de sulbactama. La multirresistencia fue comúnmente observada en los aislamientos de Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Burkholderia cepacia, Chryseobacterium spp., Myroides spp., Achromobacter xylosoxidans y Ochrobactrum anthropi. En cambio, Pseudomonas stutzeri, Shewanella putrefaciens-algae, Sphingomonas paucimobilis, Pseudomonas oryzihabitans, Bergeyella zoohelcum, Weeksella virosa y Oligella urethralis, fueron ampliamente sensibles a los antibacterianos ensayados. Debido a la gran variabilidad observada en la sensibilidad a los antimicrobianos en las distintas especies, se hace imprescindible realizar la prueba de sensibilidad a los antibacterianos a fin de abordar la elección correcta del mismo. Debido a la marcada multirresistencia de algunas especies, surge la necesidad del desarrollo de nuevos agentes antimicrobianos que posean actividad sobre este grupo de bacterias, así como tambien la búsqueda de combinaciones sinérgicas.

Gram-negative nonfermentative bacilli (NFB) are widely spread in the environment. Besides of difficulties for identification, they often have a marked multiresistance to antimicrobial agents, including those active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ‘in vitro' activity of different antimicrobial agents on 177 gram-negative nonfermentative bacilli isolates (excluding Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp.) isolated from clinical specimens. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined according to the Mueller Hinton agar dilution method against the following antibacterial agents: ampicillin, piperacillin, piperacillin-tazobactam, sulbactam, cefoperazone, cefoperazone-sulbactam, ceftazidime, cefepime, aztreonam, imipenem, meropenem, colistin, gentamicin, amikacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, rifampin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin and minocycline. Seven isolates: Sphingobacterium multivorum (2 ), Sphingobacterium spiritivorum (1), Empedobacter brevis (1), Weeksella virosa (1), Bergeyella zoohelcum (1) and Oligella urethralis (1), were tested for amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and ampicillin-sulbactam susceptibility, and susceptibility to cefoperazone or sulbactam was not determined. Multiresistance was generally found in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Burkholderia cepacia, Chryseobacterium spp., Myroides spp., Achromobacter xylosoxidans, and Ochrobactrum anthropi isolates. On the other hand, Pseudomonas stutzeri, Shewanella putrefaciens-algae, Sphingomonas paucimobilis, and Pseudomonas oryzihabitans, Bergeyella zoohelcum, Weeksella virosa and Oligella urethralis were widely susceptible to the antibacterial agents tested. As a result of the wide variation in antimicrobial susceptibility shown by different species, a test on susceptibility to different antibacterial agents is essential in order to select an adequate therapy. The marked multiresistance evidenced by some species, prompts the need to develop new antimicrobial agents active against this group of bacteria and to search for synergistic combinations.

Actividad [quot ]in vitro[quot ] de diferentes antibacterianos sobre bacilos gram-negativos no fermentadores, excluidos Pseudomonas aeruginosa y Acinetobacter spp. / [In vitro activity of different antimicrobial agents on Gram-negative nonfermentative bacilli, excluding Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp.]

Gram-negative nonfermentative bacilli (NFB) are widely spread in the environment. Besides of difficulties for identification, they often have a marked multiresistance to antimicrobial agents, including those active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of different antimicrobial agents on 177 gram-negative nonfermentative bacilli isolates (excluding Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp.) isolated from clinical specimens. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined according to the Mueller Hinton agar dilution method against the following antibacterial agents: ampicillin, piperacillin, piperacillin-tazobactam, sulbactam, cefoperazone, cefoperazone-sulbactam, ceftazidime, cefepime, aztreonam, imipenem, meropenem, colistin, gentamicin, amikacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, rifampin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin and minocycline. Seven isolates: Sphingobacterium multivorum (2), Sphingobacteriumspiritivorum (1), Empedobacterbrevis (1), Weeksella virosa (1), Bergeyella zoohelcum (1) and Oligella urethralis (1), were tested for amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and ampicillin-sulbactam susceptibility, and susceptibility to cefoperazone or sulbactam was not determined. Multiresistance was generally found in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Burkholderia cepacia, Chryseobacterium spp., Myroides spp., Achromobacter xylosoxidans, and Ochrobactrum anthropi isolates. On the other hand, Pseudomonas stutzeri, Shewanella putrefaciens-algae, Sphingomonas paucimobilis, and Pseudomonas oryzihabitans, Bergeyella zoohelcum, Weeksella virosa and Oligella urethralis were widely susceptible to the antibacterial agents tested. As a result of the wide variation in antimicrobial susceptibility shown by different species, a test on susceptibility to different antibacterial agents is essential in order to select an adequate therapy. The marked multiresistance evidenced by some species, prompts the need to develop new antimicrobial agents active against this group of bacteria and to search for synergistic combinations.

Data feedback efforts in quality improvement: lessons learned from US hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Data feedback is a fundamental component of quality improvement efforts, but previous studies provide mixed results on its effectiveness. This study illustrates the diversity of hospital based efforts at data feedback and highlights successful strategies and common pitfalls in designing and implementing data feedback to support performance improvement. METHODS: Open ended interviews with 45 clinical and administrative staff in eight US hospitals in 2000 concerning their perceptions about the effectiveness of data feedback in supporting performance improvement efforts were analysed. The hospitals were chosen to represent a range of sizes, geographical regions, and beta blocker improvement rates over a 3 year period. Data were organized and analyzed in NUD-IST 4 using the constant comparative method of qualitative data analysis. RESULTS: Although the data feedback efforts at the hospitals were diverse, the interviews suggested that seven key themes may be important: (1) data must be perceived by physicians as valid to motivate change; (2) it takes time to develop the credibility of data within a hospital; (3) the source and timeliness of data are critical to perceived validity; (4) benchmarking improves the meaningfulness of data feedback; (5) physician leaders can enhance the effectiveness of data feedback; (6) data feedback that profiles an individual physician's practices can be effective but may be perceived as punitive; (7) data feedback must persist to sustain improved performance. Embedded in several themes was the view that the effectiveness of data feedback depends not only on the quality and timeliness of the data, but also on the organizational context in which such efforts are implemented. CONCLUSIONS: Data feedback is a complex and textured concept. Data feedback strategies that might be most effective are suggested, as well as potential pitfalls in using data to promote performance improvement.

[Evaluation of API 20 NE (version 6.0) in rare Gram-negative non-glucose-fermenting bacilli]. / Evaluación de API 20 NE (versión 6.0) en bacilos gram-negativos no fermentadores de glucosa infrecuentes.

The ability of the API 20 NE method (6.0 version, bio-Mérieux, Marcy L'Etoile, France) to identify 188 strains of gram negative nonfermentative bacilli (NFB) was evaluated (Fenazinic pigment producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. were excluded). These were isolated from patients treated at the Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín of the University of Buenos Aires during the period 1996-2001. Strains were identified according to the Schreckenberger P testing method. Out of 188 NFB strains, 175 (93.09%) were correctly identified by the API 20 NE method at the genus and species level (IC95 = 88.47-96.27) while 61 (32.45%) required additional testing for correct identification. Thirteen strains (6.91%; IC95 3.73-11.53) could not be correctly identified and none of them were classified as "non identified". The API 20 NE method is a practical, easy to handle, fast and useful system for the identification of NFB since conventional manual methods take longer and require many biochemical, enzymatic and physiological tests which are sometimes not available depending on the size and capability of the laboratory. Although it is easy to handle, the API 20 NE identification system must be interpreted by an expert microbiologist who must compare the results obtained by this system with the information provided by the distinctive cultures and mobility patterns of these organisms.

Evaluación de API 20 NE (versión 6.0) en bacilos gram-negativos no fermentadores de glucosa infrecuentes / [Evaluation of API 20 NE (version 6.0) in rare Gram-negative non-glucose-fermenting bacilli]

The ability of the API 20 NE method (6.0 version, bio-Mérieux, Marcy L’Etoile, France) to identify 188 strains of gram negative nonfermentative bacilli (NFB) was evaluated (Fenazinic pigment producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. were excluded). These were isolated from patients treated at the Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín of the University of Buenos Aires during the period 1996-2001. Strains were identified according to the Schreckenberger P testing method. Out of 188 NFB strains, 175 (93.09

) were correctly identified by the API 20 NE method at the genus and species level (IC95 = 88.47-96.27) while 61 (32.45

) required additional testing for correct identification. Thirteen strains (6.91

; IC95 3.73-11.53) could not be correctly identified and none of them were classified as [quot ]non identified[quot ]. The API 20 NE method is a practical, easy to handle, fast and useful system for the identification of NFB since conventional manual methods take longer and require many biochemical, enzymatic and physiological tests which are sometimes not available depending on the size and capability of the laboratory. Although it is easy to handle, the API 20 NE identification system must be interpreted by an expert microbiologist who must compare the results obtained by this system with the information provided by the distinctive cultures and mobility patterns of these organisms.

Evaluación de API 20 NE (versión 6.0) en bacilos gram-negativos no fermentadores de glucosa infrecuentes. / [Evaluation of API 20 NE (version 6.0) in rare Gram-negative non-glucose-fermenting bacilli]

The ability of the API 20 NE method (6.0 version, bio-Mérieux, Marcy LEtoile, France) to identify 188 strains of gram negative nonfermentative bacilli (NFB) was evaluated (Fenazinic pigment producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. were excluded). These were isolated from patients treated at the Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín of the University of Buenos Aires during the period 1996-2001. Strains were identified according to the Schreckenberger P testing method. Out of 188 NFB strains, 175 (93.09

) were correctly identified by the API 20 NE method at the genus and species level (IC95 = 88.47-96.27) while 61 (32.45

) required additional testing for correct identification. Thirteen strains (6.91

; IC95 3.73-11.53) could not be correctly identified and none of them were classified as [quot ]non identified[quot ]. The API 20 NE method is a practical, easy to handle, fast and useful system for the identification of NFB since conventional manual methods take longer and require many biochemical, enzymatic and physiological tests which are sometimes not available depending on the size and capability of the laboratory. Although it is easy to handle, the API 20 NE identification system must be interpreted by an expert microbiologist who must compare the results obtained by this system with the information provided by the distinctive cultures and mobility patterns of these organisms.

[Activity of 14 antimicrobials against Eikenella corrodens]. / Actividad de catorce antimicrobianos sobre Eikenella corrodens.

Eikenella corrodens is a gram-negative bacillus that colonizes as normal flora of the mouth, the upper respiratory tract and the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to determine the susceptibility patterns against fourteen antibiotics of 25 E. corrodens strains isolated at our hospital. MICs were determined by the agar dilution technique using Müeller-Hinton agar with sheep blood (5% v/v) to penicillin, ampicillin, ampicillin-sulbactam, cephalotin, cefoxitin, ceftiaxone, colistin, gentamicin, amikacin, erythromycin, rifampin, ciprofloxacin and clindamycin. The most active antibiotics were ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone (MIC90 = 0.008 and 0.125 microgram/ml, respectively), whereas eritromycin, gentamicin and amikacin showed less activity. Only one strain was beta lactamase positive, and it was inhibited by sulbactam. Erithromycin, gentamicin and amikacin had poor activity (MIC90 = 16.8 and 64 micrograms/ml, respectively), whereas all the strains were uniformly resistant to clindamycin (MIC > or = 32 micrograms/ml). We suggest about the need of periodical surveys of E. corrodens susceptibility patterns, since strains have been found with decreased susceptibility against antibiotics which are currently being used for the treatment of infectious diseases.

Liver transplantation for the sequelae of intra-operative bile duct injury.

BACKGROUND: Intra-operative bile duct injuries (IBDI) are potentially severe complications of the treatment of benign conditions, with unpredictable long-term results. Multiple procedures are frequently needed to correct these complications. In spite of the application of these procedures, patients with severe injuries can develop irreversible liver disease. Liver transplantation (LT) is currently the only treatment available for such patients, but little information has been published concerning the results of LT. METHODS: Eight patients with LT for end-stage liver disease for IBDI were studied retrospectively. They had failure of multiple previous treatments and experienced recurrent episodes of cholangitis, oesophageal variceal bleeding, severe pruritus, refractory ascites and spontaneous peritonitis. RESULTS: Mean recipient hepatectomy time was of 243 minutes (range 140-295 min), the complete procedure averages 545 minutes (260-720) and intraoperative red-blood-cells consumption was 6.5 units (1-7). One patient required reoperation due to perforation of a Roux-en-Y loop, and three developed minor complications (2 wound infections, I inguinal lymphocele). One patient died due to nosocomial pneumonia (mortality rate 12.5%). One patient required retransplantation due to delayed hepatic artery thrombosis. At follow-up 75% of patients are alive with normal graft function and an excellent quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: LT represents a safe curative treatment for end-stage liver disease after IBDI, albeit a major undertaking in the context of a surgical complication in the treatment of benign disease. The complications of the surgical procedure and the long-standing immunosuppression impart a high cost for resolutions of these sequelae but LT represents the only long-term effective treatment for these selected patients.

Actividad de catorce antimicrobianos sobre Eikenella corrodens / [Activity of 14 antimicrobials against Eikenella corrodens]

Eikenella corrodens is a gram-negative bacillus that colonizes as normal flora of the mouth, the upper respiratory tract and the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to determine the susceptibility patterns against fourteen antibiotics of 25 E. corrodens strains isolated at our hospital. MICs were determined by the agar dilution technique using M³eller-Hinton agar with sheep blood (5

v/v) to penicillin, ampicillin, ampicillin-sulbactam, cephalotin, cefoxitin, ceftiaxone, colistin, gentamicin, amikacin, erythromycin, rifampin, ciprofloxacin and clindamycin. The most active antibiotics were ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone (MIC90 = 0.008 and 0.125 microgram/ml, respectively), whereas eritromycin, gentamicin and amikacin showed less activity. Only one strain was beta lactamase positive, and it was inhibited by sulbactam. Erithromycin, gentamicin and amikacin had poor activity (MIC90 = 16.8 and 64 micrograms/ml, respectively), whereas all the strains were uniformly resistant to clindamycin (MIC > or = 32 micrograms/ml). We suggest about the need of periodical surveys of E. corrodens susceptibility patterns, since strains have been found with decreased susceptibility against antibiotics which are currently being used for the treatment of infectious diseases.

Actividad de catorce antimicrobianos sobre Eikenella corrodens. / [Activity of 14 antimicrobials against Eikenella corrodens]

Eikenella corrodens is a gram-negative bacillus that colonizes as normal flora of the mouth, the upper respiratory tract and the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this study was to determine the susceptibility patterns against fourteen antibiotics of 25 E. corrodens strains isolated at our hospital. MICs were determined by the agar dilution technique using M³eller-Hinton agar with sheep blood (5

v/v) to penicillin, ampicillin, ampicillin-sulbactam, cephalotin, cefoxitin, ceftiaxone, colistin, gentamicin, amikacin, erythromycin, rifampin, ciprofloxacin and clindamycin. The most active antibiotics were ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone (MIC90 = 0.008 and 0.125 microgram/ml, respectively), whereas eritromycin, gentamicin and amikacin showed less activity. Only one strain was beta lactamase positive, and it was inhibited by sulbactam. Erithromycin, gentamicin and amikacin had poor activity (MIC90 = 16.8 and 64 micrograms/ml, respectively), whereas all the strains were uniformly resistant to clindamycin (MIC > or = 32 micrograms/ml). We suggest about the need of periodical surveys of E. corrodens susceptibility patterns, since strains have been found with decreased susceptibility against antibiotics which are currently being used for the treatment of infectious diseases.

Manejo de las complicaciones biliares en 300 trasplantes hepáticos / Biliary complications of liver transplantation: our experince in 300 cases

Antecedentes: las complicaciones biliares (CB) son consideradas por muchos el "Talón de Aquiles" del Trasplante Hepático. Su incidencia varía entre un 7 a un 35 por ciento. Se pueden agrupar según su frecuencia de presentación en estenosis, bilirragias y misceláneas. En la actualidad se cuenta con un manejo multimodal que incluye los procedimientos percutáneos, endoscópicos y/o quirúrgicos. Objetivos: describir la incidencia y tipos de CB en nuestra serie de 300 trasplantes y describir las modalidades terapéuticas empleadas y sus resultados. Diseño: estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo. Población: entre enero de 1988 y junio de 2000, 300 trasplantes hepáticos fueron realizados en 276 pacientes en la Unidad de Trasplante Hepático del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. Método: se evaluaron en el receptor la edad, indicación del trasplante, tipo de injerto, tipo de reconstrucción biliar, existencia de trombosis de la arteria hepática. De la CB se evaluaron el tipo, tratamiento y su resultado. Resultados: las CB ocurrieron en 52 de los 300 injertos trasplantados, lo que corresponde a un 17,33 por ciento, presentándose en 24 receptores pediátricos y en 28 receptores adultos lo que representa un índice de CB en dichas poblaciones del 20 y 15 por ciento respectivamente. Las CB más frecuentemente halladas en la serie total, fueron las estenosis (9 por ciento) y las bilirragias (5 por ciento). La hepático-yeyuno anastomosis tuvo 23,8 por ciento de CB, mientras que la colédoco-colédoco lo tuvo en un 12,3 por ciento. 10 de los 11 pacientes que presentaron trombosis de la arteria hepática presentaron CB. Se practicó tratamiento inicial quirúrgico en un 21 por ciento, percutáneo en un 52 por ciento, endoscópico en un 23 por ciento y tratamiento médico en sólo un 4 por ciento de los pacientes. La mortalidad atribuida a las CB fue sólo un 1,9 por ciento. Conclusiones: 1. Las CB son causa frecuente de morbilidad en el trasplante hepático. 2. Las trombosis de la arteria hepática se asocian a una mayor incidencia de CB, por lo que debe plantearse su diagnóstico frente a la aparición de una CB. 3. Los procedimientos percutáneos y endoscópicos son eficaces como único tratamiento en una importante proporción de los pacientes optimizando el estado general y local de los pacientes que requirieron tratamiento quirúrgico ulterior...

Manejo de las complicaciones biliares en 300 trasplantes hepáticos / Biliary complications of liver transplantation: our experince in 300 cases

Antecedentes: las complicaciones biliares (CB) son consideradas por muchos el "Talón de Aquiles" del Trasplante Hepático. Su incidencia varía entre un 7 a un 35 por ciento. Se pueden agrupar según su frecuencia de presentación en estenosis, bilirragias y misceláneas. En la actualidad se cuenta con un manejo multimodal que incluye los procedimientos percutáneos, endoscópicos y/o quirúrgicos. Objetivos: describir la incidencia y tipos de CB en nuestra serie de 300 trasplantes y describir las modalidades terapéuticas empleadas y sus resultados. Diseño: estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo. Población: entre enero de 1988 y junio de 2000, 300 trasplantes hepáticos fueron realizados en 276 pacientes en la Unidad de Trasplante Hepático del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. Método: se evaluaron en el receptor la edad, indicación del trasplante, tipo de injerto, tipo de reconstrucción biliar, existencia de trombosis de la arteria hepática. De la CB se evaluaron el tipo, tratamiento y su resultado. Resultados: las CB ocurrieron en 52 de los 300 injertos trasplantados, lo que corresponde a un 17,33 por ciento, presentándose en 24 receptores pediátricos y en 28 receptores adultos lo que representa un índice de CB en dichas poblaciones del 20 y 15 por ciento respectivamente. Las CB más frecuentemente halladas en la serie total, fueron las estenosis (9 por ciento) y las bilirragias (5 por ciento). La hepático-yeyuno anastomosis tuvo 23,8 por ciento de CB, mientras que la colédoco-colédoco lo tuvo en un 12,3 por ciento. 10 de los 11 pacientes que presentaron trombosis de la arteria hepática presentaron CB. Se practicó tratamiento inicial quirúrgico en un 21 por ciento, percutáneo en un 52 por ciento, endoscópico en un 23 por ciento y tratamiento médico en sólo un 4 por ciento de los pacientes. La mortalidad atribuida a las CB fue sólo un 1,9 por ciento. Conclusiones: 1. Las CB son causa frecuente de morbilidad en el trasplante hepático. 2. Las trombosis de la arteria hepática se asocian a una mayor incidencia de CB, por lo que debe plantearse su diagnóstico frente a la aparición de una CB. 3. Los procedimientos percutáneos y endoscópicos son eficaces como único tratamiento en una importante proporción de los pacientes optimizando el estado general y local de los pacientes que requirieron tratamiento quirúrgico ulterior...(AU)

A qualitative study of increasing beta-blocker use after myocardial infarction: Why do some hospitals succeed?

CONTEXT: Based on evidence that beta-blockers can reduce mortality in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), many hospitals have initiated performance improvement efforts to increase prescription of beta-blockers at discharge. Determination of the factors associated with such improvements may provide guidance to hospitals that have been less successful in increasing beta-blocker use. OBJECTIVES: To identify factors that may influence the success of improvement efforts to increase beta-blocker use after AMI and to develop a taxonomy for classifying such efforts. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Qualitative study in which data were gathered from in-depth interviews conducted in March-June 2000 with 45 key physician, nursing, quality management, and administrative participants at 8 US hospitals chosen to represent a range of hospital sizes, geographic regions, and changes in beta-blocker use rates between October 1996 and September 1999. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Initiatives, strategies, and approaches to improve care for patients with AMI. RESULTS: The interviews revealed 6 broad factors that characterized hospital-based improvement efforts: goals of the efforts, administrative support, support among clinicians, design and implementation of improvement initiatives, use of data, and modifying variables. Hospitals with greater improvements in beta-blocker use over time demonstrated 4 characteristics not found in hospitals with less or no improvement: shared goals for improvement, substantial administrative support, strong physician leadership advocating beta-blocker use, and use of credible data feedback. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a context for understanding efforts to improve care in the hospital setting by describing a taxonomy for classifying and evaluating such efforts. In addition, the study suggests possible elements of successful efforts to increase beta-blocker use for patients with AMI.