Effect of postextubation noninvasive ventilation with active humidification vs high-flow nasal cannula on reintubation in patients at very high risk for extubation failure: a randomized trial.

PURPOSE: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy was noninferior to noninvasive ventilation (NIV) for preventing reintubation in a heterogeneous population at high-risk for extubation failure. However, outcomes might differ in certain subgroups of patients. Thus, we aimed to determine whether NIV with active humidification is superior to HFNC in preventing reintubation in patients with ≥ 4 risk factors (very high risk for extubation failure). METHODS: Randomized controlled trial in two intensive care units in Spain (June 2020‒June 2021). Patients ready for planned extubation with ≥ 4 of the following risk factors for reintubation were included: age > 65 years, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score > 12 on extubation day, body mass index > 30, inadequate secretions management, difficult or prolonged weaning, ≥ 2 comorbidities, acute heart failure indicating mechanical ventilation, moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, airway patency problems, prolonged mechanical ventilation, or hypercapnia on finishing the spontaneous breathing trial. Patients were randomized to undergo NIV with active humidification or HFNC for 48 h after extubation. The primary outcome was reintubation rate within 7 days after extubation. Secondary outcomes included postextubation respiratory failure, respiratory infection, sepsis, multiorgan failure, length of stay, mortality, adverse events, and time to reintubation. RESULTS: Of 182 patients (mean age, 60 [standard deviation (SD), 15] years; 117 [64%] men), 92 received NIV and 90 HFNC. Reintubation was required in 21 (23.3%) patients receiving NIV vs 35 (38.8%) of those receiving HFNC (difference -15.5%; 95% confidence interval (CI) -28.3 to -1%). Hospital length of stay was lower in those patients treated with NIV (20 [12‒36.7] days vs 26.5 [15‒45] days, difference 6.5 [95%CI 0.5-21.1]). No additional differences in the other secondary outcomes were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Among adult critically ill patients at very high-risk for extubation failure, NIV with active humidification was superior to HFNC for preventing reintubation.

Benefit with preventive noninvasive ventilation in subgroups of patients at high-risk for reintubation: a post hoc analysis.

BACKGROUND: High-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) was shown to be non-inferior to noninvasive ventilation (NIV) for preventing reintubation in a general population of high-risk patients. However, some subgroups of high-risk patients might benefit more from NIV. We aimed to determine whether the presence of many risk factors or overweight (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2) patients could have different response to any preventive therapy, NIV or HFNC in terms of reduced reintubation rate. METHODS: Not pre-specified post hoc analysis of a multicentre, randomized, controlled, non-inferiority trial comparing NFNC and NIV to prevent reintubation in patients at risk for reintubation. The original study included patients with at least 1 risk factor for reintubation. RESULTS: Among 604 included in the original study, 148 had a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. When adjusting for potential covariates, patients with ≥ 4 risk factors (208 patients) presented a higher risk for reintubation (OR 3.4 [95%CI 2.16-5.35]). Patients with ≥ 4 risk factors presented lower reintubation rates when treated with preventive NIV (23.9% vs 45.7%; P = 0.001). The multivariate analysis of overweight patients, adjusted for covariates, did not present a higher risk for reintubation (OR 1.37 [95%CI 0.82-2.29]). However, those overweight patients presented an increased risk for reintubation when treated with preventive HFNC (OR 2.47 [95%CI 1.18-5.15]). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with ≥ 4 risk factors for reintubation may benefit more from preventive NIV. Based on this result, HFNC may not be the optimal preventive therapy in overweight patients. Specific trials are needed to confirm these results.

Early Tracheostomy for Managing ICU Capacity During the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Propensity-Matched Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, shortages of ventilators and ICU beds overwhelmed health care systems. Whether early tracheostomy reduces the duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay is controversial. RESEARCH QUESTION: Can failure-free day outcomes focused on ICU resources help to decide the optimal timing of tracheostomy in overburdened health care systems during viral epidemics? STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients with COVID-19 pneumonia who had undergone tracheostomy in 15 Spanish ICUs during the surge, when ICU occupancy modified clinician criteria to perform tracheostomy in Patients with COVID-19. We compared ventilator-free days at 28 and 60 days and ICU- and hospital bed-free days at 28 and 60 days in propensity score-matched cohorts who underwent tracheostomy at different timings (≤ 7 days, 8-10 days, and 11-14 days after intubation). RESULTS: Of 1,939 patients admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia, 682 (35.2%) underwent tracheostomy, 382 (56%) within 14 days. Earlier tracheostomy was associated with more ventilator-free days at 28 days (≤ 7 days vs > 7 days [116 patients included in the analysis]: median, 9 days [interquartile range (IQR), 0-15 days] vs 3 days [IQR, 0-7 days]; difference between groups, 4.5 days; 95% CI, 2.3-6.7 days; 8-10 days vs > 10 days [222 patients analyzed]: 6 days [IQR, 0-10 days] vs 0 days [IQR, 0-6 days]; difference, 3.1 days; 95% CI, 1.7-4.5 days; 11-14 days vs > 14 days [318 patients analyzed]: 4 days [IQR, 0-9 days] vs 0 days [IQR, 0-2 days]; difference, 3 days; 95% CI, 2.1-3.9 days). Except hospital bed-free days at 28 days, all other end points were better with early tracheostomy. INTERPRETATION: Optimal timing of tracheostomy may improve patient outcomes and may alleviate ICU capacity strain during the COVID-19 pandemic without increasing mortality. Tracheostomy within the first work on a ventilator in particular may improve ICU availability.

Effect of Postextubation High-Flow Nasal Cannula vs Noninvasive Ventilation on Reintubation and Postextubation Respiratory Failure in High-Risk Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: High-flow conditioned oxygen therapy delivered through nasal cannulae and noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) may reduce the need for reintubation. Among the advantages of high-flow oxygen therapy are comfort, availability, lower costs, and additional physiopathological mechanisms. Objective: To test if high-flow conditioned oxygen therapy is noninferior to NIV for preventing postextubation respiratory failure and reintubation in patients at high risk of reintubation. Design, Setting, and Participants: Multicenter randomized clinical trial in 3 intensive care units in Spain (September 2012-October 2014) including critically ill patients ready for planned extubation with at least 1 of the following high-risk factors for reintubation: older than 65 years; Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score higher than 12 points on extubation day; body mass index higher than 30; inadequate secretions management; difficult or prolonged weaning; more than 1 comorbidity; heart failure as primary indication for mechanical ventilation; moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; airway patency problems; or prolonged mechanical ventilation. Interventions: Patients were randomized to undergo either high-flow conditioned oxygen therapy or NIV for 24 hours after extubation. Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary outcomes were reintubation and postextubation respiratory failure within 72 hours. Noninferiority margin was 10 percentage points. Secondary outcomes included respiratory infection, sepsis, and multiple organ failure, length of stay and mortality; adverse events; and time to reintubation. Results: Of 604 patients (mean age, 65 [SD, 16] years; 388 [64%] men), 314 received NIV and 290 high-flow oxygen. Sixty-six patients (22.8%) in the high-flow group vs 60 (19.1%) in the NIV group were reintubation (absolute difference, -3.7%; 95% CI, -9.1% to ∞); 78 patients (26.9%) in the high-flow group vs 125 (39.8%) in the NIV group experienced postextubation respiratory failure (risk difference, 12.9%; 95% CI, 6.6% to ∞) [corrected]. Median time to reintubation did not significantly differ: 26.5 hours (IQR, 14-39 hours) in the high-flow group vs 21.5 hours (IQR, 10-47 hours) in the NIV group (absolute difference, -5 hours; 95% CI, -34 to 24 hours). Median postrandomization ICU length of stay was lower in the high-flow group, 3 days (IQR, 2-7) vs 4 days (IQR, 2-9; P=.048). Other secondary outcomes were similar in the 2 groups. Adverse effects requiring withdrawal of the therapy were observed in none of patients in the high-flow group vs 42.9% patients in the NIV group (P < .001). Conclusions and Relevance: Among high-risk adults who have undergone extubation, high-flow conditioned oxygen therapy was not inferior to NIV for preventing reintubation and postextubation respiratory failure. High-flow conditioned oxygen therapy may offer advantages for these patients. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01191489.

Effect of Postextubation High-Flow Nasal Cannula vs Conventional Oxygen Therapy on Reintubation in Low-Risk Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

IMPORTANCE: Studies of mechanically ventilated critically ill patients that combine populations that are at high and low risk for reintubation suggest that conditioned high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy after extubation improves oxygenation compared with conventional oxygen therapy. However, conclusive data about reintubation are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy is superior to conventional oxygen therapy for preventing reintubation in mechanically ventilated patients at low risk for reintubation. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Multicenter randomized clinical trial conducted between September 2012 and October 2014 in 7 intensive care units (ICUs) in Spain. Participants were 527 adult critical patients at low risk for reintubation who fulfilled criteria for planned extubation. Low risk for reintubation was defined as younger than 65 years; Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score less than 12 on day of extubation; body mass index less than 30; adequate secretions management; simple weaning; 0 or 1 comorbidity; and absence of heart failure, moderate-to-severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, airway patency problems, and prolonged mechanical ventilation. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to undergo either high-flow or conventional oxygen therapy for 24 hours after extubation. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was reintubation within 72 hours, compared with the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel χ2 test. Secondary outcomes included postextubation respiratory failure, respiratory infection, sepsis and multiorgan failure, ICU and hospital length of stay and mortality, adverse events, and time to reintubation. RESULTS: Of 527 patients (mean age, 51 years [range, 18-64]; 62% men), 264 received high-flow therapy and 263 conventional oxygen therapy. Reintubation within 72 hours was less common in the high-flow group (13 patients [4.9%] vs 32 [12.2%] in the conventional group; absolute difference, 7.2% [95% CI, 2.5% to 12.2%]; P = .004). Postextubation respiratory failure was less common in the high-flow group (22/264 patients [8.3%] vs 38/263 [14.4%] in the conventional group; absolute difference, 6.1% [95% CI, 0.7% to 11.6%]; P = .03). Time to reintubation was not significantly different between groups (19 hours [interquartile range, 12-28] in the high-flow group vs 15 hours [interquartile range, 9-31] in the conventional group; absolute difference, -4 [95% CI, -54 to 46]; P = .66]. No adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among extubated patients at low risk for reintubation, the use of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen compared with conventional oxygen therapy reduced the risk of reintubation within 72 hours. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01191489.

The effects of increasing effective airway diameter on weaning from mechanical ventilation in tracheostomized patients: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To determine the effects of deflating the tracheal cuff during disconnections from mechanical ventilation (MV) in tracheostomized patients. METHODS: This was a single-center, randomized trial conducted in a general ICU of a tertiary hospital with regional referral for trauma patients. Patients at high risk of aspiration based on the drink test were excluded. Critically ill tracheostomized patients were randomized to have the tracheal cuff deflated or not during spontaneous breathing trials. Weaning was protocolized on progressive T-tube trials, and patients were considered weaned after 24 consecutive hours disconnected from MV. The primary end point was time to definitive withdrawal of MV; secondary end points were ventilator-associated respiratory infection (pneumonia and/or tracheobronchitis) and swallowing function. Statistical analyses included Cox proportional risk models. RESULTS: We randomized 195 patients and 181 patients completed the study (94 patients with deflated cuff and 87 with inflated cuff). Variables independently related to weaning time in the multivariate analysis were tracheostomy-to-first MV disconnection time (HR 0.5, 95 % CI 0.3-0.8; p < 0.01) and cuff deflation (HR 2.2, 95 % CI 1.5-3; p < 0.01). Respiratory infection was lower in the deflated group (20 vs. 36 %; p = 0.02). Swallowing function improved more in the deflated group (31 vs. 22 %; p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Under the conditions of our protocol, deflating the tracheal cuff in tracheostomized patients shortens weaning, reduces respiratory infections, and probably improves swallowing.

Treating epiphora in adults with the Wilhelm plastic nasolacrimal stent: mid-term results of a prospective study.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate, in a prospective, single-center study, the effectiveness of the Wilhelm-type stent used in interventional radiology for the management of epiphora. Patients (n = 104; mean age 64 [range 25­88]; 33 male and 71 female) with severe epiphora had the stents inserted (135 stents in 115 eyes) to treat obstruction of the nasolacrimal system. The etiology of the obstruction was idiopathic in 83 cases, chronic dacryocystitis in 31, cases and postsurgical status in 1 case. The overall technical success rate of stent placement was near 94%. Resolution of epiphora was complete in 105 cases and partial in 3 cases. During a mean 13-month follow-up (range 1 week to 28 months), the median duration of primary patency was 11 months, and the percentage of patency at 6 months was 60.8%, at 1 year was 39.6%, and at 2 years was 25%. Stents malfunctioned in 54 cases, and all were easily withdrawn except in 1 case. Of these 27 cases, patency recovered spontaneously in 9 and by way of a second stent in 18. Secondary patency was 50%. Factors presdisposing to lower primary patency are inflammatory etiology and location of the obstruction. The benefit of stent deployment is clear with respect to the resolution of epiphora in candidate patients for percutaneous treatment. Technical and/or design improvements would be welcomed.

Noninvasive ventilation reduces intubation in chest trauma-related hypoxemia: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines for noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) recommend continuous positive airway pressure in patients with thoracic trauma who remain hypoxic despite regional anesthesia. This recommendation is rated only by level C evidence because randomized controlled trials in this specific population are lacking. Our aim was to determine whether NIMV reduces intubation in severe trauma-related hypoxemia. METHODS: This was a single-center randomized clinical trial in a nine-bed ICU of a level I trauma hospital. Inclusion criteria were patients with Pao(2)/Fio(2)<200 for >8 h while receiving oxygen by high-flow mask within the first 48 h after thoracic trauma. Patients were randomized to remain on high-flow oxygen mask or to receive NIMV. The interface was selected based on the associated injuries. Thoracic anesthesia was universally supplied unless contraindicated. The primary end point was intubation; secondary end points included length of hospital stay and survival. Statistical analysis was based on multivariate analysis. RESULTS: After 25 patients were enrolled in each group, the trial was prematurely stopped for efficacy because the intubation rate was much higher in controls than in NIMV patients (10 [40%] vs 3 [12%], P = .02). Multivariate analysis adjusted for age, gender, chronic heart failure, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II at admission revealed NIMV as the only variable independently related to intubation (odds ratio, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.02-0.61; P = .01). Length of hospital stay was shorter in NIMV patients (14 vs 21 days P = .001), but no differences were observed in survival or other secondary end points. CONCLUSION: NIMV reduced intubation compared with oxygen therapy in severe thoracic trauma-related hypoxemia.

Tracheostomy tube in place at intensive care unit discharge is associated with increased ward mortality.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between tracheostomy tube in place after intensive-care-unit (ICU) discharge and hospital mortality. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational cohort study in a medical-surgical ICU in a tertiary-care hospital that does not have a step-down unit. We recorded clinical and epidemiologic variables, indication and timing of tracheostomy, time to decannulation, characteristics of respiratory secretions, need for suctioning, and Glasgow coma score at ICU discharge. We excluded patients who had do-not-resuscitate orders, tracheostomy for long-term airway control, neuromuscular disease, or neurological damage. RESULTS: A total of 118 patients were tracheostomized in the ICU, and 73 were discharged to the ward without neurological damage. Of these, 35 had been decannulated. Ward mortality was 19% overall, 11% in decannulated patients, and 26% in patients with the tracheostomy tube in place; that difference was not statistically significant in the univariate analysis (P = .10). However, the multivariate analysis, which adjusted for lack of decannulation, age, sex, body mass index, severity of illness, diagnosis at ICU admission, duration of mechanical ventilation, Glasgow coma score, characteristics of respiratory secretions, and need for suctioning at ICU discharge, found 3 factors associated with ward mortality: lack of decannulation at ICU discharge (odds ratio 6.76, 95% confidence interval 1.21-38.46, P = .03), body mass index > 30 kg/m(2) (odds ratio 5.81, 95% confidence interval 1.24-27.24, P = .03), and tenacious sputum at ICU discharge (odds ratio 7.27, 95% confidence interval 1-55.46, P = .05). CONCLUSIONS: In our critical-care setting, lack of decannulation of conscious tracheostomized patients before ICU discharge to the general ward was associated with higher mortality.

Assessment of clockwise cavotricuspid isthmus block based on conduction times during transient entrainment: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: In typical counterclockwise atrial flutter (AFL), the route of impulse propagation to anteroinferior right atrium (AIRA) during transient entrainment (TE) from the coronary sinus (CS) is expected to be similar to that during pacing from the same CS site during sinus rhythm (SR) when cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) block has occurred. This could be used to identify CTI block during ablation procedures. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with AFL (cycle length [CL], 240 +/- 25 ms) underwent CTI ablation during AFL. CS pacing was performed at a CL of 20 ms less than AFL CL before ablation (n = 36), and at several CL during SR with conduction through the CTI (n = 21) and after CTI block (n = 36). RESULTS: TE with orthodromic activation of AIRA occurred in all 36 patients. Conduction time from CS to AIRA during TE (T-entr, 199 +/- 29 ms) was significantly longer than during pacing in SR (T-CTI) at the same rate not only with CTI conduction (T-CTI-C, 135 +/- 24 ms, P < 0.001), but also with CTI block (T-CTI-B, 186 +/- 24 ms, P < 0.01). T-entr did not correlate with T-CTI-C, but there was an excellent correlation between T-entr and T-CTI-B (r = 0.874, P < 0.001). A "TE index" that corrected T-CTI for individual T-entr identified CTI block with 97% sensitivity and 91% specificity. T-CTI at low rates differed from T-CTI at high rates but correlated significantly with them. CONCLUSION: Comparison of conduction times during TE from the CS and during pacing from the same site and rate in SR can help to establish whether clockwise CTI block has been achieved in patients with typical AFL.

The early phase of the minute ventilation recovery curve predicts extubation failure better than the minute ventilation recovery time.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine, in patients who had successful outcomes in spontaneous breathing trials (SBTs), whether the analysis of the minute ventilation (Ve) recovery time obtained by minute-by-minute sequential monitoring after placing the patient back on mechanical ventilation (MV) may be useful in predicting extubation outcome. DESIGN: Twelve-month prospective observational study. SETTING: Medical-surgical ICU of a university hospital. PATIENTS: Ninety-three patients receiving > 48 h of MV. INTERVENTIONS: Baseline respiratory parameters (ie, respiratory rate, tidal volume, and Ve) were measured under pressure support ventilation prior to the SBT. After tolerating the SBT, patients again received MV with their pre-SBT ventilator settings, and respiratory parameters were recorded minute by minute. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Seventy-four patients (80%) were successfully extubated, and 19 patients (20%) were reintubated. Reintubated patients were similar to non-reintubated patients in baseline respiratory parameters and baseline variables, except for age and COPD diagnosis. The recovery time needed to reduce Ve to half the difference between the Ve measured at the end of a successful SBT and basal Ve (RT50%DeltaVe) was lower in patients who had undergone successful extubation than in those who had failed extubation (mean [+/- SD] time, 2.7 +/- 1.2 vs 10.8 +/- 8.4 min, respectively; p < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, comorbid status, diagnosis (ie, neurocritical vs other), and severity of illness revealed that neurocritical disease (odds ratio [OR], 7.6; p < 0.02) and RT50%DeltaVe (OR, 1.7; p < 0.01) were independent predictors of extubation outcome. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for the predictive model was 0.89 (95% confidence interval, 0.81 to 0.96). CONCLUSION: Determination of the RT50%DeltaVe at the bedside may be a useful adjunct in the decision to extubate, with better results found in nonneurocritical patients.

Lipid and lipoprotein concentrations at age 4. Association with neonatal and parental levels.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To study the influence of diet, anthropometrical measurements and neonatal and parental lipoprotein variables on lipoprotein concentrations at age 4. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: 18 neonates with normal serum lipoprotein values (group 1), 19 neonates with high total cholesterol (TC) levels (group 2) and 21 neonates with normal TC but altered levels in other lipids, apolipoproteins, lipoproteins or ratios (group 3) were selected for a follow-up study. Body weight, body mass index (BMI) and the suitability of diet at age 4 for coronary heart disease prevention were evaluated. Multivariable stepwise linear regression analyses were performed for each lipid or lipoprotein parameter at age 4 considering group at birth, diet, neonatal and parental BMI, lipid or lipoprotein parameters. RESULTS: A large percentage of 4 year-olds had high low density lipoproteins-cholesterol (LDLc) and low high density lipoproteins-cholesterol (HDLc) and followed an unsuitable diet. Prevalence of altered lipoprotein variables, except for TC/HDLc, was similar in the 3 groups. Correlations of birth versus 4 year levels were significant (p = 0.021-0.0001) for all parameters except triglycerides, TC and LDLc. However, all tracking correlations were not significant in group 3. In the multiple regression study, parental and neonatal parameters were retained as explicative variables in many of the models but diet was not retained in any of them. Maternal concentrations were always more explicative than paternal or neonatal ones. Models for TC/HDLc and LDLc/HDLc were the most explicative (both, R2 > 0.578; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Lipoprotein variables at age 4 were more closely associated with progenitors' and neonatal lipoprotein values than BMI or diet.

Lipid and lipoprotein concentrations at age 4. Association with neonatal and parental levels

Fundamento y objetivo: Estudiar la influencia de la dieta, de los parámetros antropométricos y de las características lipoproteínicas al nacimiento y de los padres sobre la concentración de lipoproteínas a los 4 años de edad. Sujetos y método: Se seleccionó para participar en un estudio de seguimiento a los 4 años a 18 niños con un perfil lipoproteico normal al nacer (grupo 1), a otros 19 con concentraciones elevadas de colesterol total (CT) al nacer (grupo 2) y a 21 con CT normal pero valores anormales al nacer de triglicéridos, apolipoproteínas, lipoproteínas y cocientes lipoproteínicos (grupo 3). Se evaluaron el peso corporal, el índice de masa corporal (IMC) y la adecuación de la dieta a los 4 años desde el punto de vista cardiovascular. Se realizó un análisis de regresión lineal múltiple por pasos para explicar la concentración a los 4 años, considerando la dieta, el IMC y los parámetros lipoproteínicos de ambos padres y de los recién nacidos. Resultados: A los 4 años un gran porcentaje de niños tenía concentraciones elevadas de colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de baja densidad (cLDL), cifras bajas de colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de alta densidad (cHDL) y una dieta incorrecta, rica en colesterol y ácidos grasos saturados. La prevalencia de concentraciones lipoproteínicas alteradas fue similar en los 3 grupos, excepto para el cociente CT/cHDL. Las correlaciones entre las variables al nacimiento y a los 4 años fueron todas significativas (p = 0,021-0,0001), salvo para los triglicéridos, el CT y el cLDL. En el grupo 3 se perdía la significación en todas las variables. En las regresiones múltiples las variables maternas, paternas y de los recién nacidos aparecieron como variables explicativas en un gran número de modelos. Las concentraciones maternas fueron más explicativas que las paternas y las de los neonatos. Los modelos más explicativos fueron para CT/cHDL y cLDL/cHDL (ambos, R2 > 0,578; p < 0,0001). Conclusiones: A los 4 años, las variables lipoproteínicas, más que el IMC o la dieta, se asocian a los valores lipoproteínicos de los progenitores y los de los niños al nacer

Background and objective: To study the influence of diet, anthropometrical measurements and neonatal and parental lipoprotein variables on lipoprotein concentrations at age 4. Subjects and method: 18 neonates with normal serum lipoprotein values (group 1), 19 neonates with high total cholesterol (TC) levels (group 2) and 21 neonates with normal TC but altered levels in other lipids, apolipoproteins, lipoproteins or ratios (group 3) were selected for a follow-up study. Body weight, body mass index (BMI) and the suitability of diet at age 4 for coronary heart disease prevention were evaluated. Multivariable stepwise linear regression analyses were performed for each lipid or lipoprotein parameter at age 4 considering group at birth, diet, neonatal and parental BMI, lipid or lipoprotein parameters. Results: A large percentage of 4 year-olds had high low density lipoproteins-cholesterol (LDLc) and low high density lipoproteins-cholesterol (HDLc) and followed an unsuitable diet. Prevalence of altered lipoprotein variables, except for TC/HDLc, was similar in the 3 groups. Correlations of birth versus 4 year levels were significant (p = 0.021-0.0001) for all parameters except triglycerides, TC and LDLc. However, all tracking correlations were not significant in group 3. In the multiple regression study, parental and neonatal parameters were retained as explicative variables in many of the models but diet was not retained in any of them. Maternal concentrations were always more explicative than paternal or neonatal ones. Models for TC/HDLc and LDLc/HDLc were the most explicative (both, R2 > 0.578; p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Lipoprotein variables at age 4 were more closely associated with progenitors' and neonatal lipoprotein values than BMI or diet

Clinical features of patients with negative results from traditional diagnostic work-up and Crohn's disease findings from capsule endoscopy.

INTRODUCTION: Capsule endoscopy (CE) can detect Crohn's disease in patients with suggestive symptoms but with negative results from the traditional diagnostic work-up (ileocolonoscopy and small bowel follow-through). The objective of this study was to determine which clinical features predict the diagnosis of Crohn's disease by CE in this subgroup of patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients (7 men, 16 women; mean age: 40+/-15 y) with negative results from conventional imaging techniques were prospectively included in the study because of suspicion of Crohn's disease (long-standing abdominal pain and/or diarrhea and at least one of the following symptoms: anemia, weight loss, long-standing fever, perianal disease, extraintestinal manifestations typical of inflammatory bowel disease, elevated inflammatory parameters, or family history of inflammatory bowel disease). RESULTS: CE diagnosed Crohn's disease in 6 patients (26%). Crohn's disease diagnosis was more frequent in patients with a combination of anemia and elevated inflammatory parameters than in patients without this combination (57% vs. 12.5%; P=0.04). The only statistically significant association between an inflammatory parameter and Crohn's disease was an increased platelet count. CONCLUSIONS: CE is a useful tool for the diagnosis of subtle small bowel Crohn's disease. The diagnostic yield of CE in patients with suspicion of Crohn's disease but negative results from the traditional diagnostic work-up is significantly higher in patients with anemia and increased platelet count than in patients without this combination of clinical features.

Screening algorithm for aortoiliac occlusive disease using duplex ultrasonography-acquired velocity spectra from the distal external iliac artery.

Aortoiliac duplex scanning can be difficult to perform owing to the deep location of these vessels. We propose a new method to indirectly screen for aortoiliac disease by performing duplex examination of the distal external iliac artery (DEIA). After performing a preliminary study on 21 patients, the parameters of the Doppler waveform that best distinguish normal from diseased arteries were the presence or absence of reverse flow, peak systolic velocity, and resistance index. These values were used in a derived equation, with the value Y > or = 0.78 predicting normal proximal inflow. We then studied 118 aortoiliac segments in 81 consecutive patients with arteriography and DEIA duplex ultrasonography. To predict moderate to severe stenosis, duplex ultrasonography had a sensitivity of 95.7%, a specificity of 84.1%, a positive predictive value of 80%, and a negative predictive value of 96.8%. Our formula thus predicted significant disease in 55 of the 118 aortoiliac segments (47%), with these segments needing further arteriographic evaluation. The other 63 limbs can be safely considered as having normal aortoiliac inflow. Our method accurately screens for aortoiliac disease and is excellent for predicting normal inflow. This information can be used to better plan the intraoperative diagnostic study and intervention.

High density lipoprotein-cholesterol changes in children with high cholesterol levels at birth.

UNLABELLED: The predictive value of serum lipoprotein concentrations at birth for the same parameters later in life is under debate. A group of 20 children displaying high total cholesterol (TC) levels at birth (group 2) were compared at age 4 years with 18 control children who had presented a normal lipoprotein profile at birth (group 1). There was a significant correlation between TC, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, and apolipoprotein (Apo) A-I levels at age 4 years and at birth. The increases in TC and HDL-cholesterol levels from birth to age 4 years were significantly lower (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively) in group 2 than in the control group and inversely correlated with the concentrations of these parameters at birth. The increases in HDL-cholesterol and Apo A-I levels were higher in males while those of triacylglycerol and Apo B were higher in females (P < 0.05). However, the increases in TC and HDL-cholesterol were higher in controls (P< 0.05). Diets of children of both groups were similar regarding the energy contribution of saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, although children from group 2 ate less fish and omega-3 fatty acids (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: the present data suggest for the first time that when high density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels are high at birth, those levels increase less during the first four years of life. Moreover, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol increased about five times as much as high density lipoprotein-cholesterol did in controls and about 15 times as much as in the children with high cholesterol at birth.