[Changes in the mass and function of the left ventricle after renal transplantation]. / Modificaciones de la masa y función del ventrículo izquierdo después de trasplante renal.

We undertook a study of cardiac function in 13 patients with end-stage renal disease with conventional echocardiography. Measurements in systolic and diastolic function were assessed before and after renal transplantation. Improvement in left ventricular mass was observed (mu +/- SD) from 362.4 +/- 150.2 to 178.4 +/- 62.4 (p less than 0.001), also in left ventricular mass index (left ventricular mass/body surface) from 229 +/- 86.3 to 115.6 +/- 41.3 (p less than 0.001), ejection fraction from 0.44 +/- .196 to 0.64 +/- .165 (p less than 0.01) and velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (mu +/- SD) from 19.5 +/- 11.04 to 31 +/- 11.6. Renal transplantation procedure induce favorable modifications in left ventricular functions. If cardiac dysfunction is present in a end stage renal disease patient, it should be not considered a contraindication for transplantation. We were unable to demonstrate that hemoglobin values play an important role in the development or maintenance left ventricular dysfunction. A prospective, larger and longer trails are needed to clarify the risk factors associated with cardiovascular morbid event.

[Whipple's disease. A case report and review of the literature]. / Enfermedad de Whipple. Informe de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

A 19 year-old man had a clinical history of volvulus, ascites and abdominal pain; later, malabsorption syndrome was recognized. Jejunal biopsies obtained by endoscopic technique show changes consistent in Whipple's disease with minimal intestinal involvement and atrophy. This case report is the first in which volvulus, minimal intestinal involvement and malabsorption syndrome were recognized together. Treatment was successful with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. A literature review with emphasis in recent topics, was made.