Disfunción apical transitoria o síndrome de Takotsubo: reporte de un caso / Transient apical ballooning or Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: case report

INTRODUCCIÓN: El Síndrome de Takotsubo (STT), balonamiento apical o síndrome del corazón roto es una patología que produce un aturdimiento agudo del miocardio sin encontrarse lesiones obstructivas significativas a la coronariografía. Epidemiologicamente hay mayor incidencia en mujeres postmenopáusicas. Su patogenia es desconocida, con múltiples teorías propuestas. PRESENTACIÓN DEL CASO: Paciente sexo femenino de 41 años, sin antecedentes mórbidos. Encontrándose en reposo, refiere dolor opresivo retroesternal severo irradiado a ambas extremidades superiores con signos y síntomas neurovegetativos intensos, sin presencia de alteraciones emocionales o factores de estrés relacionados. Es trasladada a consultorio de Neltume, zona rural de la región de los Ríos, donde electrocardiograma sugiere infarto agudo al miocardio con supradesnivel del segmento ST de pared inferior y anterior. Es derivada a su hospital base donde por mejoría clínica, se realiza electrocardiograma de control a cinco horas del inicio, mostrando criterios de reperfusión espontánea. Se realiza coronariografía para evaluación, que objetiva arterias coronarias sin lesiones obstructivas y ventriculografía que muestra disquinesia apical compatible con STT. Se deriva a hospital Naval de Talcahuano donde la paciente evoluciona favorablemente, objetivándose por ecocardiografía una restauración de la función cardíaca normal. La paciente es dada de alta tras siete días de tratamiento médico para síndrome coronario agudo. DISCUSIÓN: Como diagnóstico diferencial de síndrome coronario agudo, la sospecha diagnóstica precoz y el acceso a imagenología cardiaca permiten confirmar el síndrome. El manejo de estos pacientes es conservador, con seguimiento imagenológico por posibles complicaciones hasta la recuperación espontánea del funcionamiento ventricular.

INTRODUCTION: TakoTsubo Cardiomyopathy (TCM), transient apical ballooning o broken heart syndrome is a transient cardiac syndrome most commonly presented after severe emotional or physical stress, producing acute myocardial dysfunction, without significant coronary stenosis. Its pathogenesis is unknown, with multiple proposed theories and a higher incidence in postmenopausal women. CASE REPORT: 41-year-old female with no relevant medical history. While resting at home, she presented a severe episode of retrosternal pain, irradiated to both arms and associated with adrenergic symptoms, without related emotional or stressful factors. Twenty minutes after onset, she was brought to a primary care facility in Neltume, Los Rios Region, where electrocardiogram (EKG) showed STsegment elevation on inferior and anterior leads. She was then transferred to the referral center, where after five hours of the beginning of symptoms, follow-up EKG showed spontaneous reperfusion criteria, correlated with spontaneous resolution of symptoms during transferring. Coronary angiography showed no significant stenosis and ventriculography confirmed apical ballooning compatible with TCM. The patient was referred to the Naval Hospital of Talcahuano, where she improved clinically, being discharged seven days later with standard treatment for acute coronary syndrome. DISCUSSION: As part of the differential diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome, early suspicion and access to cardiac catheterization provides the basis for confirming the diagnosis. Treatment is mainly conservative, with imaging follow-up for possible complications until recovery of the ventricular function.

Bombas de infusión continua de jeringa en unidades neonatales / Continuous infusion pumps at neonatal intensive care units

Introduction: Continuous Infusion pumps (CIP) are frequently used at neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), to administer medications at flow rates lower than 1 ml/H. Various factors have been shown to alter their performance. No studies have been completed in Chile in this area. Objectives: To describe frequent clinical practices to administer medications through CIP at NICUs in Chile, and suggest recommendations about it. Methods: Four professionals at NICUs in 19 centers were surveyed regarding syringe size, flow rate and precautions. Results: When starting countinuous infusion, 81.9 percent of surveyed professionals use 50 cc syringes, and 66.7 percent of them use flow rates under 1 ml/h. Main precautions include elimination of bubbles in the circuit (51.4 percent), review of conections (38.9 percent) and precise fit between the syringe and the CIP (36.1 percent). Conclusions: In surveyed NICUs, low flow rates and 50cc syringes are frequently used to infuse medications. NICU staff must consider factors that affect the performance of CIP, prefer smaller syringes and flow rate over 1 ml/h for continuous infusion of drugs.

Introducción: En las unidades de cuidado intensivo neonatal (UCIN) se utilizan frecuentemente bombas de infusión continua (BIC) a flujos menores de 1 ml/h para administrar medicamentos. Está demostrado que distintos factores alteran el funcionamiento de las BIC a flujos bajos. En Chile, no existen estudios que describan prácticas relacionadas al uso de BIC. Objetivo: Describir prácticas clínicas frecuentes al administrar medicamentos en BIC en UCIN de Chile y proponer recomendaciones respecto a su uso. Método: Se encuestaron 4 profesionales de UCIN en 19 centros. Los principales aspectos evaluados fueron: tamaño de jeringa usado en las BIC, flujos de infusión continua utilizados y precauciones al instalar una BIC. Resultados: Al instalar una infusión continua, el 81,9 por ciento de los profesionales encuestados usa jeringas de 50 ml y el 66,7 por ciento utiliza flujos menores de 1 ml/h. Las principales precauciones fueron la eliminación de burbujas del circuito (51,4 por ciento), la revisión de las conexiones del sistema (38,9 por ciento) y el ajuste preciso entre jeringa y BIC (36,1 por ciento). Conclusiones: En las UCIN estudiadas se utilizan frecuentemente flujos bajos y jeringas de 50 ml para infundir medicamentos. Las UCIN deben considerar los factores que alteran el funcionamiento de las BIC y preferir el uso de jeringas de menor tamaño y flujos mayores de 1 ml/h para la infusión continua de medicamentos.

Identificación de los determinantes de la estadía en unidades de cuidados intensivos usando redes neuronales artificiales / Prediction of the length of stay in intensive care units using artificial neural networks

Background: The prediction of the length of stay at the moment of hospital admission is of outmost importance. Many studies have used lineal models to predict this variable, but there are inherent limitations to these models. The use of non lineal models has been scarce. Aim: To develop a non lineal model to predict length of stay in intensive care units. Material and methods: Retrospective analysis of 294 patients admitted to two intensive care units in Santiago, Chile. The severity of the disease motivating the admission was nominally quantified. This and other physiological variables were included in the model. The length of stay was modeled using Artificial Neural Networks. Results: The model yielded an error of 8.7 percent (3.6 ñ 0.4 days, CI 95 percent) and a correlation coefficient of 0.9 (p <0.001) for the prediction of length of stay. Using net sensitivity analysis, the model determined that gastrointestinal diseases, infections and respiratory problems were the main causes of prolongation of intensive care unit stay. Conclusions: Intensive care units should have, in the future, computer systems that gather vital information to predict length of stay

Frequent use of lubricants for anal sex among men who have sex with men: the HIV prevention potential of a microbicidal gel.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed frequency of rectal lubricant use, opinions about rectal microbicidal gels, and willingness to participate in acceptability trials of rectal microbicides among Latino men who have sex with men (MSM). METHODS: Latino MSM (N = 307) living in New York City were surveyed from October 1995 through November 1996. Eleven Latino MSM participated in a focus group. RESULTS: Among those having anal sex during the prior year, 93% used lubricants (59% always and 74% in at least 80% of sexual encounters) regardless of condom use. Of the 29 men who practiced anal sed but did not use condoms, 90% used lubricants with similar frequency. Of those using lubricants, 94% used at least 1 teaspoon per occasion. A transparent product, free of smell and taste, was favored. Of the MSM in the sample, 92% said that they would use a lubricant with an anti-HIV microbicidal agent, and 87% expressed interest in participating in an acceptability trial. Product and dispenser preferences also were discussed. CONCLUSIONS: A rectal lubricant with microbicidal properties appears acceptable and desirable to Latino men who have anal sex with other men.

Safer sex strategies for women: the hierarchical model in methadone treatment clinics.

Women clients of a methadone maintenance treatment clinic were targeted for an intervention aimed to reduce unsafe sex. The hierarchical model was the basis of the single intervention session, tested among 63 volunteers. This model requires the educator to discuss and demonstrate a full range of barriers that women might use for protection, ranking these in the order of their known efficacy. The model stresses that no one should go without protection. Two objections, both untested, have been voiced against the model. One is that, because of its complexity, women will have difficulty comprehending the message. The second is that, by demonstrating alternative strategies to the male condom, the educator is offering women a way out from persisting with the male condom, so that instead they will use an easier, but less effective, method of protection. The present research aimed at testing both objections in a high-risk and disadvantaged group of women. By comparing before and after performance on a knowledge test, it was established that, at least among these women, the complex message was well understood. By comparing baseline and follow-up reports of barriers used by sexually active women before and after intervention, a reduction in reports of unsafe sexual encounters was demonstrated. The reduction could be attributed directly to adoption of the female condom. Although some women who had used male condoms previously adopted the female condom, most of those who did so had not used the male condom previously. Since neither theoretical objection to the hierarchical model is sustained in this population, fresh weight is given to emphasizing choice of barriers, especially to women who are at high risk and relatively disempowered. As experience with the female condom grows and its unfamiliarity decreases, it would seem appropriate to encourage women who do not succeed with the male condom to try to use the female condom, over which they have more control.

Aneurisma de la vena poplítea / Popliteal vein aneurysm: report of one case

The popliteal vein aneurysm is a rare condition that can lead to local symptoms, thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. We report the case of a 67 years old, otherwise healthy white male, who presented to us with localised swelling and pain in the left popliteal fossa. Duplex ultrasound and venography were obtained, confirming the diagnosis of popliteal vein aneurysm. The patient underwent tangential aneurysmectomy and lateral venorrhaphy, recovery was uneventful remaining asymptomatic. The reconstruction was demonstrated patent on a duplex scan. The popliteal vein aneurysm is a potentially fatal condition for which surgical treatment is recommended

Unusual cases of hyperparathyroidism.

The history, physical and radiologic findings, treatment and pathology in five unusual cases of hyperparathyroidism is presented. The hyperparathyroidism was caused by a large (113 grams) mediastinal adenoma in the first patient, who is alive 25 years after surgery. A parathyroid carcinoma with compression of the esophagus was documented in the second patient. This patient is alive and normocalcemic 23 years after surgical treatment. A third patient with hyperplasia returned with hypercalcemia 20 years postsurgery requiring reoperation. A fourth patient with advanced bone findings was found to have a parathyroid adenoma. The fifth case is a patient with tertiary hyperparathyroidism secondary to hypophosphatemic rickets.

Imaging technology in the diagnosis of sellar disease.

Radiographic computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are the procedures of choice in the diagnosis of patients with suspected pituitary gland abnormalities. Several cases are presented where the diagnostic value of such procedures in patients with diseases affecting the pituitary gland is demonstrated.

Localization of parathyroid lesions: blind study for surgeons.

Success in the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism rest in the accurate localization and removal of the diseased gland or glands. Computerized tomography and nuclear imaging scans are being used to localize abnormal parathyroid tissue. In the present study, fifteen consecutive patients undergoing surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism were all subjected to these ancillary studies. Results were not revealed to the operating team. In all instances an adenoma was localized during neck exploration. CT Scan failed to localize 73% of the affected glands. Nuclear scans missed almost fifty percent of the parathyroid adenomas. The low yield of these ancillary localizing tests makes them unnecessary in the routine evaluation of patients undergoing surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism.

[Morphogenesis of Candida albicans in human serum. Mycelial and pseudomycelial tubes observed in 250 strains]. / Morphogenèse de Candida albicans dans le sérum humain. Tubes mycéliens et pseudomycéliens observés sur 250 souches.

The morphogenesis of Candida albicans, more peculiarly the mycelial and pseudomycelial tubes production, was investigated during 24 hours in human serum: on 250 strains at 37 degrees C, and on 24 strains at 25 degrees C. The characteristic of the tubes, their first apparition and maximum production time are reported. The yeast influence (origin, saprophytic or parasitic state, serotype, maximum temperature for growth of the strain) on the tubes production is discussed.