[Atrioventricular block in unstable angina. Results of the ARIAM registry]. / Bloqueo auriculoventricular en la angina inestable. Resultados del registro ARIAM.

OBJECTIVE: Describe the frequency of high degree atrioventricular block (HDAVB) in patients with unstable angina (UA), analyze the variables associated with their appearance and evaluate whether HDAVB is independently associated with increased mortality or increased length of ICU stay. DESIGN: Retrospective descriptive study of patients with UA included in the ARIAM registry. SETTING: ICUs from 129 hospitals in Spain. PATIENTS: From June 1996 to December 2003 a total of 14,096 patients were included in the ARIAM registry with a diagnosis of UA. MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST: Variables associated with the development of HDAVB, variables associated with the mortality of patients with UA, variables associated with the length of ICU stay of patients with UA. RESULTS: HDAVB frequency was 1%. Development of HDAVB was independently associated with the Killip classification and the presence of sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. Crude mortality of patients was significantly increased when HDAVB was present (9% versus 1%, p < 0,001). When adjusted for other variables, HDAVB was not associated with increased mortality. Development of HDAVB in patients with UA was independently associated with an increase in the length of ICU stay (adjusted odds ratio 1.89: 95% confidence interval: 1.33-5.69). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with UA complicated with HDAVB represent a high-risk population with an increased ICU stay.

Bloqueo auriculoventricular en la angina inestable. Resultados del registro ARIAM / Atrioventricular block in unstable angina. Results of the ARIAM registry

Objetivo. Describir la frecuencia de bloqueo auriculoventricular (BAVAG) en los pacientes con angina inestable (AI), analizar las variables asociadas al desarrollo del mismo y evaluar si el BAVAG se asocia de manera independiente con aumento de la mortalidad o de la estancia en Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI). Diseño. Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de los pacientes con AI incluidos en el estudio ARIAM. Ámbito. UCI de 129 hospitales españoles. Pacientes. Desde junio de 1996 a diciembre de 2003 se incluyeron en el proyecto ARIAM 14.096 pacientes con diagnóstico de AI. Variables de interés principales. Variables asociadas con el desarrollo de BAVAG, con la mortalidad de los pacientes con AI y con la duración de la estancia en UCI de los pacientes con AI. Resultados. La frecuencia de BAVAG durante el ingreso en UCI fue del 1%. El desarrollo de BAVAG se asoció de manera independiente con el grado en la clasificación de Killip y la presencia de taquicardia ventricular sostenida o de fibrilación ventricular. La mortalidad cruda de los pacientes con AI aumentó significativamente en presencia de BAVAG (9% frente a 1%, p < 0,001). Cuando se ajustó para otras variables no se observó un aumento de la mortalidad asociada al BAVAG. El desarrollo de BAVAG en los pacientes con AI se asocia de manera independiente con un aumento de la estancia media (odds ratio ajustada 1,89; intervalo de confianza del 95%: 1,33-5,69). Conclusiones. Los pacientes con AI que desarrollan BAVAG representan una población de alto riesgo. El BAVAG se asocia con un incremento de la estancia media

Objective. Describe the frequency of high degree atrioventricular block (HDAVB) in patients with unstable angina (UA), analyze the variables associated with their appearance and evaluate whether HDAVB is independently associated with increased mortality or increased length of ICU stay. Design. Retrospective descriptive study of patients with UA included in the ARIAM registry. Setting. ICUs from 129 hospitals in Spain. Patients. From June 1996 to December 2003 a total of 14,096 patients were included in the ARIAM registry with a diagnosis of UA. Main variables of interest. Variables associated with the development of HDAVB, variables associated with the mortality of patients with UA, variables associated with the length of ICU stay of patients with UA. Results. HDAVB frequency was 1%. Development of HDAVB was independently associated with the Killip classification and the presence of sustained ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation. Crude mortality of patients was significantly increased when HDAVB was present (9% versus 1%, p < 0,001). When adjusted for other variables, HDAVB was not associated with increased mortality. Development of HDAVB in patients with UA was independently associated with an increase in the length of ICU stay (adjusted odds ratio 1.89: 95% confidence interval: 1.33-5.69). Conclusions. Patients with UA complicated with HDAVB represent a high-risk population with an increased ICU stay

[The CRUSADE study, evaluation model of quality in percutaneous coronary intervention]. / El estudio Crusade, modelo de evaluación de la calidad en la intervención coronaria percutánea.

Improvement of care quality does not end with the publication of clinical trials that show clinical evidence of effectiveness or with its support by the different international therapeutic guides. This quality improvement requires evaluation in the real population. This can be done by analysis of clinical registries, that would evaluate adequate compliance of the clinical guides and their effectiveness in the real population. The CRUSADE study is a study that evaluates use, prognosis and factors of prediction, of invasive strategy by early percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (first 48 hours of the ischemic event) in high-risk patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). Of the 17,926 patients studied, 8037 (44.8%) underwent cardiac catheterism in the first 48 hours of the ischemic event. Intrahospital mortality of the invasive strategy was significantly less than medical treatment (2.5% versus 3.7%). The patients who underwent an early invasive strategy were a selected population, as the more solid independent prediction factors were associated to early invasive treatment: cardiology care, earlier age, absence of renal failure, absence of heart failure both previously or on arrival to the hospital and lower heart rate. Finally, it could be concluded that, in spite of the decrease of mortality achieved with the early invasive strategy, this would not done in most of the patients, being reserved for subgroups with lower comorbidity and for those seen by the cardiologists.

El estudio Crusade, modelo de evaluación de la calidad en la intervención coronaria percutánea / The Crusade study, evaluation model of quality in percutaneous coronary intervention

La mejora de la calidad asistencial no finaliza con la publicación de ensayos clínicos que demuestran evidencia clínica de efectividad, ni por su respaldo por las distintas guías terapéuticas internacionales. Esta mejora de la calidad requiere una evaluación en la población real, ello se puede realizar mediante el análisis de registros clínicos, que valorarían el adecuado cumplimiento de las guías clínicas y su efectividad en la población real. El estudio CRUSADE es un estudio que evalúa la utilización, el pronóstico y los factores de predicción de la estrategia invasiva mediante la intervención coronaria percutánea (ICP) precoz (primeras 48 horas del evento isquémico), en pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del segmento ST (SCASEST) de alto riesgo. De los 17.926 pacientes estudiados, a 8.037 (44,8%) se les realiza cateterismo cardíaco en las primeras 48 horas del evento isquémico. La mortalidad intrahospitalaria de la estrategia invasiva fue significativamente menor que el tratamiento médico (2,5% frente a 3,7%). Los pacientes a los que se les realizó una estrategia invasiva precoz representaban una población seleccionada, al ser los factores independientes de predicción más sólidos, asociados al tratamiento invasivo precoz: la asistencia cardiológica, la edad más joven, la ausencia de insuficiencia renal, ausencia de insuficiencia cardíaca previa, o a la llegada al hospital y una frecuencia cardíaca más baja. Pudiéndose concluir finalmente, que a pesar de la disminución de la mortalidad conseguida con la estrategia invasiva precoz, ésta no se realiza en la mayoría de los pacientes, quedando reservada para subgrupos de menor comorbilidad, y para aquellos atendidos por los cardiólogos

Improvement of care quality does not end with the publication of clinical trials that show clinical evidence of effectiveness or with its support by the different international therapeutic guides. This quality improvement requires evaluation in the real population. This can be done by analysis of clinical registries, that would evaluate adequate compliance of the clinical guides and their effectiveness in the real population. The CRUSADE study is a study that evaluates use, prognosis and factors of prediction, of invasive strategy by early percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (first 48 hours of the ischemic event) in high-risk patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS). Of the 17926 patients studied, 8037 (44.8%) underwent cardiac catheterism in the first 48 hours of the ischemic event. Intrahospital mortality of the invasive strategy was significantly less than medical treatment (2.5% versus 3.7%). The patients who underwent an early invasive strategy were a selected population, as the more solid independent prediction factors were associated to early invasive treatment: cardiology care, earlier age, absence of renal failure, absence of heart failure both previously or on arrival to the hospital and lower heart rate. Finally, it could be concluded that, in spite of the decrease of mortality achieved with the early invasive strategy, this would not done in most of the patients, being reserved for subgroups with lower comorbidity and for those seen by the cardiologists

[Nursing professionals' reading habits; a study in a hospital in Granada]. / Hábitos de lectura en enfermería: estudio en un hospital de granada.

In all the hospital library standards, as well as in the existing Accreditation Norms for hospitals, a section is included which cites the distinct professionals who work at the institution which the library services must attend to provide for their scientific information needs. Among the sanitary collectives, nursing professionals are explicitly listed. Nonetheless, since the creation of hospital library services in Spain, many librarians have noticed that the nursing professionals, which compose the most numerous group in a hospital, have a very low library visitation rate in relationship to other collectives such as doctors in particular. Desiring to have objective data regarding library use, and not merely perceptions, the authors planned out a study in a large, 1.200 bed, hospital where more than 1.000 professionals comprise the nursing staff. The authors wanted to verify the nursing staff's needs for scientific information, their habits regarding their scientific information needs, and the possible difficulties which they encounter trying to acquire this type of information; furthermore, the authors wanted to know the nursing professionals' attitude towards this issue.

Hábitos de lectura en Enfermería. Estudio en un hospital de Granada / Nursing professionals´ reading habits; a study in a hospital in Granada

En todos los estándares de bibliotecas de hospital, asf como en las Normas de Acreditación de hospitales existentes, figura un apartado en el que se citan los distintos profesionales de la institución a los que hay que atender en sus necesidades de información cientffica. Entre los colectivos sanitarios figura explfcitamente el de enfermería. Sin embargo, muchos bibliotecarios perciben desde la creación de las bibliotecas hospitalarias en España que, con relación a otros colectivos (el de médicos en concreto), el personal de enfermería, siendo el más numeroso en el hospital, tiene una incidencia de visitas ala biblioteca muy baja. Queriendo tener datos objetivos al respecto, yno simples percepciones, se ha planteado un estudio en un gran hospital (1.200 camas) donde el colectivo de enfermerfa está compuesto por mas de 1.000 profesionales. Hemos querido averiguar sus necesidades de información cientffica, sus hábitos al respecto, y las posibles dificultades que pudieran tener en la consecución de este tipo de información, asf como su actitud en este tema

In all the hospitallibrarystandards, as well as in the existing Accreditation Norms for hospitals, a section is included which cites the distinct professionals who work at the institution which the library services must attend to provide for their scientific informarían needs. Amongthe sanitary collectives, nursing professionals are explicitly listed. Nonetheless, since the crearían of hospital librar y services in Spain, many librarians have noticed that the nursing professionals, which composethe most numerous group inahospital, ha ve a very low librar y visitarían rafe in relationship to other collectives such as doctors in particular. Desiring to have objective data regarding library use, and not merely perceptions, theauthors planned out a study in a large, 1.200 bed, hospital wheremore than 1.000 professionals comprise the nursing staff. The authors wanted to verify the nursing staff's needs for scientific information, their habits regarding their scientific information needs, and the possible difficulties which they encounter trying to acquire this type of informartion; furthermore, the authors wanted to know the nursing professionals' attitude towards this issue

Descripción de los aspectos generales del manejo del síndrome coronario agudo en España durante el año 2002 / Description of general aspects of the management of acute coronary syndrome in Spain during the year 2002

Objetivo. Describir los aspectos más relevantes en el manejo inicial del paciente con síndrome coronario agudo (SCA) durante el año 2002. Diseño y ámbito. Estudio observacional prospectivo. Participaron 84 hospitales. Pacientes, variables y resultados. Se han seleccionado los 12.743 casos incluidos en el registro ARIAM desde el 1 de enero al 31 de diciembre de 2002. Las variables analizadas se agrupan en 4 apartados: características generales, diagnóstico de infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM), atención prehospitalaria y tratamiento fibrinolítico. Ingresaron 6.879 pacientes con diagnóstico de IAM, incrementándose este diagnóstico en un 16,8% al alta. La mortalidad en Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) para los pacientes con IAM ha sido del 8,4%. Cinco mil trescientos sesenta y ocho (47%) casos llegaron al hospital a través del sistema sanitario prehospitalario con una mediana de retraso desde el inicio de los síntomas de 155 minutos. El 59% de los IAM ST elevado recibieron tratamiento fibrinolítico. El 6,7% de las fibrinolisis se realizaron en la primera hora y el 31,1% en las dos primeras horas. De los pacientes con menos de tres criterios de reperfusión sólo se realizó angioplastia de rescate en 144 casos (7%). Conclusiones. El descenso de mortalidad del IAM respecto a años previos puede estar en relación con la aplicación de los nuevos criterios diagnósticos. La atención prehospitalaria comporta mayor retraso a su llegada al hospital pero aporta un acceso más precoz acceso a las medidas básicas de atención. Los porcentajes de fibrinolisis en las dos primeras horas y de angioplastias de rescate son bajos respecto a otras series

Objective. A description of the most relevant aspects in the initial management of the patient with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) during the year 2002. Design and scope. Prospective observational study. Eighty-four participating hospitals. Patients, variables and results. The 12,743 cases included in the ARIAM registry from January 1 to December 31, 2002 were selected. The variables analyzed have been grouped into 4 sections: general characteristics, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) diagnosis, prehospital care and fibrinolytic treatment. A total of 6,879 patients were admitted with the diagnosis of AMI, this diagnosis increasing by 16.8% on discharge. Mortality in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for patients with AMI was 8.4%. The number of cases that reached the hospital through the prehospital health care system was 5,368 (47%) with a median delay from onset of the symptoms of 155 minutes. A 59% of the elevated ST AMI received fibrinolytic treatment. A 6.7% of the fibrinolysis were performed in the first hour and 31.1% in the first 2 hours. Rescue angioplasty was only done in 144 cases (7%) of the patients with less than three reperfusion criteria. Conclusions. Decrease in AMI mortality regarding previous years may be related with the application of new diagnostic criteria. Prehospital care entails greater delay of arrival to the hospital but supplies earlier access to the basic care measures. The percentage of fibrinolysis in the first 2 hours and rescue angioplasties are low regarding other series

Variabilidad en el manejo del infarto agudo de miocardio en el registro ARIAM en el año 2002 / Variability in the management of acute myocardial infarction in the ARIAM registry in the year 2002

Objetivo. Analizar las diferencias en el manejo del infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM) entre las distintas comunidades autónomas de los hospitales participantes en el registro ARIAM durante el año 2002. Diseño. Registro multicéntrico nacional de base hospitalaria de pacientes ingresados en Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos Cardiológicos (UCIC) por sospecha de síndrome coronario agudo. Ámbito. UCIC de 80 hospitales españoles de 14 comunidades autónomas. Pacientes o participantes. Se incluyen todos los pacientes del registro ARIAM del año 2002 cuyo motivo de ingreso hospitalario es IAM de menos de 24 horas de evolución. Intervenciones. Ninguna Variables de interés principales. Se registraron variables demográficas, antecedentes, clínicas, retrasos y lugar de actuación inicial, uso de técnicas diagnósticas y terapéuticas, tiempos de estancia y morbimortalidad. Se agruparon los casos por áreas geográficas que corresponden a las diferentes comunidades autónomas de España. Se analizaron las diferencias mediante el uso del coeficiente de variación (CV). Resultados. Se incluyeron 6.820 pacientes. Las características basales fueron similares, salvo para la presencia de diabetes como factor de riesgo (CV: 21%). Los CV excesivos correspondieron al modo de acceso al sistema sanitario (061: 29%), lugar de realización de la fibrinolisis (extrahospitalaria: 155%, urgencias: 120%), tipo de fibrinolítico (rTPA: 78%), retrasos intrahospitalarios (puerta-aguja: 24% y puerta-balón: 39%), uso de angioplastia coronaria transluminal percutánea (ACTP) primaria (122%), realización de coronariografía (75%) y tratamiento con anti-IIb/IIIa (34%). La mortalidad en UCIC global fue del 8,0%, con un CV de 16%. Conclusiones. Existen diferencias en el manejo del IAM entre las distintas comunidades autónomas estudiadas, especialmente en lo concerniente a la atención prehospitalaria y el uso de las técnicas de revascularización. Sin embargo, en la población estudiada, no se traducen en diferencias significativas respecto al resultado a corto plazo

Objective. Analyze the differences in the management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) between the different regional communities of the hospitals participating in the ARIAM registry during the year 2002. Design. Hospital based multicenter, national registry of patients admitted to cardiology intensive care units (CICU) due to suspicion of acute coronary syndrome. Scope. CICU of 80 Spanish hospitals in 14 regional communities. Patients or participants. All the patients from the ARIAM registry in the 2002 whose cause of hospitalization is AMI of less than 24 hours evolution are included. Interventions. None. Variables of principal interest. Demographic variable, background, symptoms, delays and site of initial action, use of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, stay time and morbidity-mortality were recorded. The cases were grouped by geographic areas that correspond to the different regional communities of Spain. Differences were analyzed with the variation coefficient (VC).Results. A total of 6,820 patients were included. Basal characteristics were similar, except for the presence of diabetes as risk factor (VC: 21%). Excessive variation coefficients corresponded to way of access to health care system (061: 29%), site fibrinolysis was done (community: 155%, emergency service: 120%), fibrinolytic type (rTPA: 78%), interhospital delays (door-to-needle: 24% and door-to-balloon: 39%), use of primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) (122%), conduction of coronariography (75%) and treatment with anti-IIb/IIIa (34%). Global mortality in the CICU was 8.0%, with a 16% VC. Conclusions. There are differences in the management of AMI between the different regional communities studied, especially in that regarding prehospital care and the use of revascularization techniques. However, no significant differences are found in the study population regarding short term result

Thrombolysis during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in fulminant pulmonary embolism: a review.

OBJECTIVE: To review current knowledge on thrombolysis in patients with fulminant pulmonary embolism (FPE) who need cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). DATA SOURCES: The bibliography for the study was compiled through a search of different databases between 1966 and 2000. References cited in the articles selected were also reviewed. STUDY SELECTION: The selection criteria included all reports published on thrombolysis, pulmonary embolism, and CPR, from case reports and case series to controlled studies. DATA SYNTHESIS: Very few studies evaluated thrombolysis in cases of FPE that required CPR and most of these were clinical case reports and case series with a low level of scientific evidence. There has been no clinical trial to address this issue. CONCLUSIONS: FPE can frequently produce cardiac arrest, which has an extremely high mortality despite application of the usual CPR measures. The administration of thrombolytic therapy during CPR could help to reduce the mortality, although it has classically been contraindicated. There are no published clinical trials or other high-grade studies that evaluated the efficacy and safety of this approach. From the few existing studies, it can be inferred that thrombolysis may be efficacious and safe for patients with FPE who need CPR. However, a clinical trial is required to provide evidence of value for sound clinical decision-making.

Thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in fulminant pulmonary embolism. A case series.

OBJECTIVE: To describe our outcomes using thrombolysis during the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of patients in cardiorespiratory arrest (CA) caused by fulminant pulmonary embolism (FPE). DESIGN: A case series. SETTING: Intensive care units of a district hospital and a referral centre. PATIENTS: Six patients that suffered CA secondary to an FPE. INTERVENTIONS: Administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator during usual CPR manoeuvres when there was a strong suspicion of FPE. Permission for the thrombolytic therapy was sought from family members in all cases. RESULTS: Four out of the six patients survived and remain symptom-free. The thrombolysis was not associated with any fatal complications. CONCLUSIONS: Early thrombolysis during CPR manoeuvres for CA apparently caused by an FPE may reduce the mortality rate among these patients.

[Severity assessment by APACHE III system in Spain]. / Objetivación de la gravedad mediante el sistema APACHE-III aplicado en España.

BACKGROUND: To assess the performance of the prediction equation of the APACHE(Acute Physiology Age and Chronic Health Evaluation) III prognostic scoring system when applied in Spain. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Prospective multicenter cohort study that included 10786 adult patients from 86 Spanish intensive care units (ICU). Data collection during first 24 hours of admission: acute physiology score, age and comorbilties,for calculating APACHE III score; treatment location prior to ICU admission and main diagnosis admission category for applying the mortality prediction equation of APACHE III system. Main outcome was observed hospital mortality. RESULTS: Age was 57.74 (0.16); 68% males. Non-operative patients represented 76% of sample. APACHE III score was 53.75(0.26); observed and predicted hospital mortality were 21.2% and 19.8% respectively, with a standardized mortality ration of 1.07. The Chi2 Hosmer-Lemershow statistic was (H) 135.6, (C) 133.91: p < 0.001. The area under the Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) was 0.808, and correct classification at mortality risk of 50% was 82%. Uniformity of fit was better for non-operative diagnoses and for patients admitted from the emergency area. Calibration was excellent for risk lower than 60% but slightly underestimated observed risks above this level. CONCLUSIONS: The American APACHE III equation fit well when applied to Spanish critical patients but with limitations. Discrepancies could be attributed to differences in case-mix and variations in practice style.

Efficacy of thrombolysis in patients with acute myocardial infarction requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of systemic thrombolysis administered to resuscitated patients after cardiac arrest (CA) due to an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), through a study of their mortality and haemorrhagic complications. DESIGN: We studied a retrospective cohort of patients with ischaemic heart disease gathered from the database of the Spanish multi-centre project "Analysis of Delay in AMI" (ARIAM). SETTING: Intensive care (ICU) and coronary care (CCU) units of 77 Spanish hospitals. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS: The study period was from 1 January 1995 to 1 January 2000, when 22,922 patients were included in the ARIAM database register; 13,704 were diagnosed with AMI and we studied 303 of these AMI patients admitted after resuscitation for CA. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Of the 303 patients studied, 228 were male (75.25%); the mean age was 64.57 +/- 12.48 years. Systemic thrombolysis was administered to 67 patients (group I) and the remaining 236 patients were managed without this treatment (group II). The ICU/CCU mortality rate of the series was 39.93 % (121 patients); that of group I was 17.91% (12 patients) and that of group II 46.18% (109 patients) (P < 0.00001). Group I required less mechanical ventilation (group I, 42.85% vs group II, 80.76 %; P < 0.00001) and fewer cardiopulmonary resuscitation attempts (33.34% vs 60.98%, P < 0.0001). Group I also showed a lower incidence of cardiogenic shock (14.28% vs 39.01%, P < 0.0001) and anoxic encephalopathy (8.62% vs 39.89% P = 0.006). There were no fatal haemorrhagic complications in either group. Logistic regression analysis showed the administration of thrombolysis to be an independent variable that protected against mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of thrombolysis to patients with AMI who require resuscitation may be efficacious in reducing mortality and is safe, with no increase in haemorrhagic complications.

[Pre-hospital care in acute coronary syndromes. Experience of the ARIAM group]. / La asistencia prehospitalaria en los síndromes coronarios agudos. Experiencia del grupo ARIAM.

OBJECTIVE: The advance in the treatment of the acute coronary syndromes tries to configure an integral attendance, not only of accelerating the fibrinolytic therapy. The objective of the present work is to evaluate basic measures of the patients' out of hospital attendance with acute coronary syndromes. DESIGN: Descriptive study. SETTING: Hospital center. PATIENTS: Diagnosed patients of myocardial infarction or unstable angina derived to intensive care units of 70 hospitals (ARIAM registry). The patients are classified depending on their previous coronary antecedents and to the system that you/they go first. The attention is evaluated by means of an specific score, with special attention in basic measures: administration of acetylsalicylic acid and nitroglycerin and realization of ECG. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Among 30746 patients, of those that 70.4% was myocardial infarction and 29.6% unstable angina, with 3:1 of relationship male/female, the half score of out of hospital attention reaches 1 point. 48.5% goes for its means, making it the rest for devices of urgent attention. It was administered nitroglycerin to 36.7% and acetylsalicylic acid to 13.1%. Among the patients with antecedents, these proportions remain. Among the devices the presence of antecedents seems neither to determine a different attitude. The temporal evolution has not suffered spectacular changes and the tendency to the observed rise, they are more marked for the less established measures. CONCLUSIONS: Inside the evaluation of the out of hospital attendance to the acute coronary syndromes exist numerous opportunities of improvement that it is necessary to develop to several fronts and where all the sanitary services involved will be implied.

La asistencia prehospitalaria en los síndromes coronarios agudos. Experiencia del Grupo ARIAM / Pre-hospital care in acute coronary syndromes. Experience of the ariam group

Objetivo. El avance en el tratamiento de los síndromes coronarios agudos trata de configurar una asistencia integral, no sólo de acelerar el tratamiento fibrinolítico. El objetivo del presente trabajo es evaluar medidas básicas de asistencia prehospitalaria de los pacientes con síndromes coronarios agudos. Diseño. Estudio descriptivo. Emplazamiento. Hospitalario. Participantes. Pacientes diagnosticados de infarto agudo de miocardio o angina inestable derivados a unidades de cuidados intensivos de 70 hospitales (registro ARIAM). Los pacientes se catalogan dependiendo de sus antecedentes coronarios isquémicos previos y al sistema que acuden primero. Se evalúa la atención prestada mediante un score específico, con especial atención en medidas elementales: administración de ácido acetilsalicílico y nitroglicerina y realización de ECG. Mediciones y resultados. Entre 30.746 pacientes, de los que un 70,4 por ciento presentaba infarto agudo de miocardio y el 29,6 por ciento angina inestable, con 3:1 de relación varón/mujer, el score medio de atención prehospitaria alcanza un punto. Acude por sus propios medios un 48,5 por ciento, haciéndolo el resto por dispositivos de atención urgente. Se administró nitroglicerina al 36,7 por ciento y ácido acetilsalicílico a un 13,1 por ciento. Entre los pacientes con antecedentes, estas proporciones se mantienen. Entre los dispositivos tampoco la presencia de antecedentes parece determinar una actitud diferente. La evolución temporal no ha experimentado cambios espectaculares y las tendencias al alza observadas son más acusadas para las medidas menos establecidas. Conclusiones. Dentro de la evaluación de la asistencia prehospitalaria a los síndromes coronarios agudos existen numerosas oportunidades de mejora que hay que desarrollar en varios frentes y donde estén implicados todos los estamentos de la asistencia sanitaria (AU)

Determinantes de la ocupación en las UCIs de los Hospitales Comarcales. Propuestas de racionalización / Determinants of ICU occupation in district hospitals. Rationalisation proposal

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Factors related to quality of life 12 months after discharge from an intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: To perform an analysis of the quality of life of survivors after ICU discharge. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Medical-surgical ICU of a Spanish reference hospital. PATIENTS: Patients (n = 606) admitted in a 6-month period. METHOD: A questionnaire regarding quality of life issues was completed at the time of admission by patients or surrogates (n = 606). The questionnaire was given again 12 months after ICU discharge to 444 surviving patients. Both questionnaires evaluated the patient's ability to function and communicate for the previous 3 months. A Quality of Life score of 0 corresponded to no limitations. An increasing score indicated a reduction in function. A score of greater than 10 points implied a severe physical handicap. Information was also collected on the severity of illness and the diagnosis that prompted ICU admission. RESULTS: The mean Quality of Life score of all survivors worsened from a mean of 4.62 at the time of ICU admission to a mean of 6.11 at 12 months after ICU discharge (p less than .01) and was most evident for patients greater than 75 yrs of age (from a mean of 6.33 to a mean of 9.54). However, patients with the highest initial Quality of Life scores had a significant improvement at 12 months (14.61 +/- 0.50 to 12.48 +/- 0.78 points [p less than .05]). A higher severity of illness score corresponded to a higher Quality of Life score, but a multivariate analysis indicated that the factors with the greatest influence on the post-discharge Quality of Life score were the initial Quality of Life score and age. CONCLUSIONS: Twelve months after discharge from the ICU, a patient's functional status, as measured by the Quality of Life score, is influenced most by age and their Quality of Life score at the time of ICU admission. While there is an overall decrease in the Quality of Life score for survivors, admission and treatment in an ICU do not always result in deterioration of the Quality of Life score. This study indicates that Quality of Life scores could become a routine part of patient evaluation.