Efecto hemodinámico de la ivabradina en 3 pacientes críticos con estenosis aórtica severa / Hemodynamic effect of ivabradine in three critical patients with severe aortic stenosis

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Mejora de la calidad asistencial a los pacientes de la unidad de dolor torácico de un hospital comarcal / Improvement in health care quality for patients from the thoracic/chest pain unit in a regional hospital

Objetivos. Evaluar un ciclo de mejora en pacientes con dolor torácico en urgencias hospitalarias, especialmente los que se benefician de la realización de test de isquemia precoz en nuestro entorno. Material y métodos. Se diseñó un protocolo de atención por grupo multidisciplinario que identifica oportunidades de mejora y prioriza abordar que «la realización de test de isquemia de forma precoz era menor que lo recomendado». Se analizan las causas (diagrama de Ishikawa) y se definen seis criterios de calidad. Se evaluaron estos en una muestra aleatoria de 30 pacientes del total a los que se realizó ergometría en el hospital en el primer semestre de 2007 (n=180) y con encuesta a facultativos. Se introdujeron medidas correctivas: difusión, accesibilidad en intranet, información explícita a nuevos facultativos. La segunda evaluación se realizó durante el primer semestre de 2008 en otra muestra similar de 30 pacientes (n=120). Resultados. En la primera evaluación la clasificación de riesgo según protocolo fue muy baja (incumplimiento del 100%) y se derivaba a consultas de cardiología a pacientes subsidiarios de ingreso en la unidad de dolor torácico y test de isquemia precoz (incumplimiento del criterio del 74%). Tras medidas correctivas, se obtiene una mejora general, pero muy significativa en los anteriores, reduciendo incumplimientos al 17% en clasificación y el 23% en derivaciones. Conclusiones. El ciclo estructurado ha facilitado la solución del problema priorizado en un plazo corto. Las medidas adoptadas han sido fundamentalmente organizativas, dependientes de los profesionales y con coste muy bajo. Enfoques sencillos pero con metodología ordenada deben valorarse antes de la incorporación de tecnologías de mayor coste(AU)

Objectives. The evaluation of an improvement cycle in patients suffering thoracic/chest pain in hospital emergencies, especially in those who could benefit from the early Bruce Treadmill Test. Material and methods. A multidisciplinary group care protocol was designed, which identified improvement opportunities and gave priority to the fact that «an early Bruce Treadmill Test was carried out on fewer occasions than recommended». Causes were analysed (Ishikawa diagram) and six quality criteria were defined. These criteria were evaluated in a random sample of 30 patients out of the total of 180 who used the ergometer at the Hospital in the first six months of 2007, as well as questionnaire for the doctors. Corrective measures were introduced: circulation, accessibility through intranet and explicit information for new employees (doctors). The second evaluation was carried out during the first six-months of 2008 using another random sample of 30 patients from a total of 120. Results. In the first evaluation, the classification of the risk according to the protocol was very low (100% non-compliance) and patients whose admission to the Chest Pain Unit was recommended and an early Bruce Treadmill Test (74% criteria failure) were referred to cardiology clinics. After implementation of the corrective measures, we obtain a general improvement in all the criteria, but very significant from the previous ones, with non-compliances being reduced to 17% in classification and to the 23% in referrals. Conclusions. The structured cycle has helped resolve the priority problem in the short-term. The adopted measures have mainly been organisational, dependent on the professionals involved, and at a very low cost. Simple but organised methodological approaches should be taken into account before the incorporation of higher cost technologies(AU)

Utilidad del cribado electrocardiográfico en población neonatal / Usefulness of electrocardiographic screening in a neonatal population

Introducción: El síndrome de QT largo congénito es una entidad poco frecuente y sin embargo causante de cerca del 10% de las muertes súbitas del lactante. Se caracteriza por un intervalo QT prolongado en el electrocardiograma (ECG) basal que asocia episodios de arritmias potencialmente mortales, en general en pacientes previamente asintomáticos, que son prevenibles con un tratamiento adecuado. Objetivos: Estudiar el impacto de la implementación de un screening electrocardiográfico en neonatos y obtener los valores de referencia en nuestra población. Material y métodos: Se realizó un ECG de 12 derivaciones. Medidas: intervalos RR, PR, QT y QT corregido; amplitud de R (V1, AVR y AVL), de Q (I y aVL), amplitud y duración de la onda P; morfología de bloqueo de rama derecha con elevación del ST (patrón Brugada); onda delta. Se consideraron patológicos: QT corregido > 0,44 o < 0,30 segundos; R en V1 > 12 y en aVR >8mm; R en aVL > 7,5mm; Q > 25% QRS (I y aVL), patrón Brugada y onda delta. Resultados: Nacieron 1.061 niños sanos en nuestro hospital entre el 29 de mayo de 2007 y el 12de diciembre de 2008, 50,3% varones. Se realizó ECG a 1.006 (asistencia del 94,8%). Cinco fueron patológicos (0,5%): 2 QT largos (no confirmados en estudio posterior), 2 Wolf-Parkinson-Whitey 1 onda Q patológica. No se encontró cardiopatía estructural en ninguno de ellos. Conclusiones: El cribado electrocardiográfico en neonatos es una prueba inocua, económica y bien aceptada por los padres que permite diagnosticar patología cardíaca asintomática pero potencialmente mortal, y se obtienen con dicho cribado las principales medidas electrocardiográficas en nuestra población (AU)

Introduction: Congenital long QT syndrome is a rare disease, but is responsible for nearly 10%of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. It is characterized by an abnormal prolonged QT interval in the basal electrocardiogram (ECG) with life-threatening arrhythmias which occur in previously asymptomatic patients and are preventable with an appropriate treatment. Aims: The impact of introducing ECG-screening in newborns is studied and main ECG measurements are described in our population. Material and methods: Twelve-lead ECG was carried out. Measurements: RR, PR and QT interval, heart rate corrected QT interval, R wave voltage in V1, AVR and AVL, Q wave in I and AVL, P amplitude and voltage, right bundle branch block and ST elevation (Brugada pattern) and delta wave. It was considered pathological: QTc >0.44 or <0.30 seconds; R >12 in V1 and >8mm in AVR; R >7.5mm in AVL; Q >25% QRS in I and AVL; Brugada pattern; delta wave. Results: A total of 1061 healthy children were born in our hospital between 29 May 2007 and 12 December 2008, of which 50.3% were males. An ECG was performed on 1006 (94.8%). Five ECG were pathological (0.5%): 2 long QT interval, 2 Wolf-Parkinson-White, 1 pathological Q-wave. A second ECG confirmed except for 2 long QT. No structural heart disease was found. Conclusions: ECG-screening in newborns is an innocuous, low-cost and parent-well-accepted test that allows us to diagnose asymptomatic but potentially lethal and preventable heart disease; main intervals and waves in our population are describes in this study (AU)

[Improvement in health care quality for patients from the thoracic/chest pain unit in a regional hospital]. / Mejora de la calidad asistencial a los pacientes de la unidad de dolor torácico de un hospital comarcal.

OBJECTIVES: The evaluation of an improvement cycle in patients suffering thoracic/chest pain in hospital emergencies, especially in those who could benefit from the early Bruce Treadmill Test. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A multidisciplinary group care protocol was designed, which identified improvement opportunities and gave priority to the fact that «an early Bruce Treadmill Test was carried out on fewer occasions than recommended¼. Causes were analysed (Ishikawa diagram) and six quality criteria were defined. These criteria were evaluated in a random sample of 30 patients out of the total of 180 who used the ergometer at the Hospital in the first six months of 2007, as well as questionnaire for the doctors. Corrective measures were introduced: circulation, accessibility through intranet and explicit information for new employees (doctors). The second evaluation was carried out during the first six-months of 2008 using another random sample of 30 patients from a total of 120. RESULTS: In the first evaluation, the classification of the risk according to the protocol was very low (100% non-compliance) and patients whose admission to the Chest Pain Unit was recommended and an early Bruce Treadmill Test (74% criteria failure) were referred to cardiology clinics. After implementation of the corrective measures, we obtain a general improvement in all the criteria, but very significant from the previous ones, with non-compliances being reduced to 17% in classification and to the 23% in referrals. CONCLUSIONS: The structured cycle has helped resolve the priority problem in the short-term. The adopted measures have mainly been organisational, dependent on the professionals involved, and at a very low cost. Simple but organised methodological approaches should be taken into account before the incorporation of higher cost technologies.

[Usefulness of electrocardiographic screening in a neonatal population]. / Utilidad del cribado electrocardiográfico en población neonatal.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital long QT syndrome is a rare disease, but is responsible for nearly 10% of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. It is characterized by an abnormal prolonged QT interval in the basal electrocardiogram (ECG) with life-threatening arrhythmias which occur in previously asymptomatic patients and are preventable with an appropriate treatment. AIMS: The impact of introducing ECG-screening in newborns is studied and main ECG-measurements are described in our population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve-lead ECG was carried out. MEASUREMENTS: RR, PR and QT interval, heart rate corrected QT interval, R wave voltage in V1, AVR and AVL, Q wave in I and AVL, P amplitude and voltage, right bundle branch block and ST elevation (Brugada pattern) and delta wave. It was considered pathological: QTc >0.44 or <0.30 seconds; R >12 in V1 and >8mm in AVR; R >7.5mm in AVL; Q >25% QRS in I and AVL; Brugada pattern; delta wave. RESULTS: A total of 1061 healthy children were born in our hospital between 29 May 2007 and 12 December 2008, of which 50.3% were males. An ECG was performed on 1006 (94.8%). Five ECG were pathological (0.5%): 2 long QT interval, 2 Wolf-Parkinson-White, 1 pathological Q-wave. A second ECG confirmed except for 2 long QT. No structural heart disease was found. CONCLUSIONS: ECG-screening in newborns is an innocuous, low-cost and parent-well-accepted test that allows us to diagnose asymptomatic but potentially lethal and preventable heart disease; main intervals and waves in our population are describes in this study.

Effect of a catecholamine-induced increase in cardiac output on extravascular lung water.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of dopamine- and dobutamine-induced increases in cardiac output on the extravascular lung water in an experimental model of pulmonary edema. DESIGN: Animal experimental study. SETTING: Animal experimental laboratory of a tertiary hospital. SUBJECTS: Mixed-race pigs (n = 20) weighing 28-32 kg. INTERVENTIONS: After the animals were anesthetized and tracheotomized, they were injected with 0.1 mL/kg of oleic acid, producing a pulmonary edema by increased permeability. The animals then were randomized into two groups: Group I (n = 10) received no medication to alter cardiac output and remained on mechanical ventilation during the 240 mins of the experiment; group II (n = 10) received a continuous infusion of dopamine and dobutamine to produce a cardiac output increase of >or=30% the basal value and underwent the same mechanical ventilation regimen as group I. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Hemodynamic and respiratory variables were measured at 0 (baseline) and 30, 60, 120, 180, and 240 mins after the infusion of oleic acid. At 30 mins, the cardiac output of group II (5.40 +/- 0.94 L/min) was significantly (p < .005) higher than that of group I (3.65 +/- 1.02 L/min), and a similar significant increase was recorded at all measurement times until the end of the experiment. The mean pulmonary arterial pressure was similar in both groups except that at 240 mins it was significantly higher in group I (normal cardiac output) than in group II (high cardiac output; 34.9 +/- 7.9 mm Hg vs. 27.2 +/- 3.8 mm Hg, p = .01). The extravascular lung water was calculated by gravimetric method after the death of the animal. The extravascular lung water of group I (13.8 +/- 3.6 mL/kg) did not significantly differ from that of group II (11.5 +/- 4.0 mL/kg). CONCLUSIONS: An increase in cardiac output experimentally produced by the infusion of dopamine and dobutamine does not modify the amount of extravascular lung water.