[Interventionism in congenital heart disease in Chiapas. The history after thousand cases performed]. / El intervencionismo en cardiopatías congénitas en Chiapas. La historia luego de mil casos realizados.

Background: Congenital heart disease is the most common birth defect and the leading cause of childhood mortality in high-income countries. In these countries, the prognosis for a child born with congenital heart disease is excellent, with over 90% achieving adulthood. However, in the low and lower-middle-income countries, as ours, the outlook is starkly different. In Chiapas, because of the progress of the hemodynamics program, more and more types of congenital heart diseases are susceptible to being treated by cardiac catheterization. Objective: To show the global experience of the interventionism in congenital heart diseases in Chiapas from its inception to recent days. Method: Through a retrospective study from April 2016 to June 2023, we reviewed the electronic files of the total of patients who underwent cardiac catheterism during the same period of time. Results: A total of 1000 procedures were performed, 581 in female patients, with a median age of 4 years (1 day to 77 years). Of the total procedures, 115 (11.5%) were diagnostic catheterizations and 885 (88.5%) were interventional. Conclusions: Cardiac catheterization in pediatrics in Chiapas has displaced cardiac surgery in a large percentage, and the results that have been obtained are undoubtedly encouraging, which already represents a decentralization in the care of congenital heart diseases in our country.

Antecedentes: Las cardiopatías congénitas son el defecto congénito más común y la primera causa de mortalidad infantil en los países de alto ingreso económico. En estos países, el pronóstico de los pacientes nacidos con estos defectos es excelente, llegando el 90% de ellos hasta la edad adulta. Sin embargo, en los países de mediano o bajo ingreso económico, como el nuestro, el pronóstico es completamente distinto. En el Estado de Chiapas, como resultado del avance del programa de hemodinamia, cada vez más tipos de cardiopatías congénitas son susceptibles de ser tratadas por cateterismo cardiaco. Objetivo: Mostrar la experiencia global actual de la hemodinamia en cardiopatías congénitas en Chiapas después de haber alcanzado los primeros 1000 casos realizados desde el inicio de nuestro programa. Método: A través de un estudio retrospectivo que abarcó de abril de 2016 a junio de 2023 revisamos los expedientes electrónicos del total de pacientes que fueron llevados a cateterismo cardiaco durante ese periodo. Resultados: Se realizaron un total de 1000 procedimientos, 581 en pacientes del sexo femenino, con una mediana de edad de 4 años (1 día a 77 años). Del total de los procedimientos, 115 (11.5%) fueron cateterismos diagnósticos y 885 (88.5%) intervencionistas. Conclusiones: El cateterismo cardiaco en cardiopatías congénitas en el Estado de Chiapas ha desplazado a la cirugía cardiaca en un amplio porcentaje, y los resultados obtenidos son sin duda alentadores, lo cual representa ya una descentralización en la atención de las cardiopatías congénitas en nuestro país.

Cardiopatías congénitas, tratamiento quirúrgico y sus complicaciones en población pediátrica del Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso, 2017 - Agosto 2019 / Congenital heart diseases, surgical treatment and complications in pediatric sample of Hospital Vicente Corral Moscoso, 2017-August 2019.

INTRODUCCIÓN: El corazón es el órgano más comúnmente afectado por anormalidades congénitas, con una incidencia de 0.8 por cada 100 nacidos vivos. Cerca de dos tercios de todos los procedimientos son en la actualidad realizados antes del año de edad, lo que mejora la sobrevida y la calidad de vida. Este estudio busca determinar cuáles son las principales intervenciones quirúrgicas realizadas para tratar las cardiopatías congénitas y sus complicaciones. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo de corte transversal; con 70 pacientes pediátricos diagnosticados y tratados quirúrgicamente por cardiopatías congénitas. Los datos fueron tomados de las historias clínicas mediante un formulario. El análisis estadístico se realizó utilizando el programa SPSS versión 15. RESULTADOS: La mediana de la edad fue de 1.1 años, el 60% fueron de sexo femenino. El 90% de las cardiopatías fueron no cianógenas. El diagnóstico más frecuente fue la persistencia del conducto arterioso (58.57%), seguido de la comunicación interventricular (12.86%). Según el tipo de procedimiento el 58.57% se realizaron para cierre de persistencia del conducto arterioso y un 12.86% fueron reparaciones quirúrgicas para cierre de comunicación interventricular. La mediana de estadía en la unidad de cuidados intensivos fue de 4 días y la mediada de estadía en la sala general de 5 días. La principales complicaciones observadas en esta población pediátrica sometida a un procedimiento quirúrgico fueron: la neumonía (11.4%) y la sepsis de origen no especificado (8.6%). CONCLUSIÓN: Los tratamientos para las cardiopatías congénitas se realizaron a edades tempranas (Media =2.5 ± 3.2 años). Más de la mitad de los procedimientos quirúrgicos realizados para cardiopatías quirúrgicas fueron para corregir la persistencia del conducto arterioso y la principal complicación fue la neumonía.

BACKGROUND: The heart is the most commonly affected organ by congenital diseases, with and incidence of 0.8 per 100 newborns. Nearly two thirds of all the surgical procedures are now a days performed before the first year of life, improving survival rate and life quality. This study aims to determine the frequency of the surgical interventions performed to treat congenital heart diseases and its complications. METHODS: An observational, descriptive cross sectional study was carried out; with 70 pediatric patients diagnosed and surgically treated for congenital heart diseases. The data was collected from the patient's medical records using a form. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 15 software. RESULTS: The median age was 1.1 years, 60% of the sample were women. 90% of the heart diseases were non-cyanogenic. The most frequent diagnosis was: persistence of the arterial duct (58.57%), followed by interventricular communication (12.86%). The type of procedures corresponds to the heart disease, thus 58.57% were performed for closure of arterial duct persistence and 12.86% were surgical repairs for closure of interventricular communication. The median stay in the intensive care unit was 4 days and the median stay in general hospitalization room was 5 days. The main complications in this pediatric population undergoing a surgical procedure were: pneumonia (11.4%) and sepsis of unspecified origin (8.6%). CONCLUSION: Treatment for heart diseases were performed at early ages (average age= 2.5±3.2). More than half of the surgical procedures for congenital heart disease were performed to correct the persistence of the ductus arteriosus, the main complication was pneumonia.

Perfil clínico e epidemiológico de usuários submetidos a cateterismo cardíaco num hospital universitário do Rio de Janeiro / Clinical-epidemiological profile of patients undergoing cardiac catheterization procedures at a university hospital in Rio de Janeiro state / Perfil clínico y epidemiológico de los usuarios sometidos a um cateterismo cardíaco en el hospital universitario de Río de Janeiro

Objective: The study's purpose has been to delineate the clinical-epidemiological profile of patients undergoing cardiac catheterization; furthermore, to propose a management technology to create a database with information of epidemiological relevance. Methods: It is a retrospective study with a quantitative approach, which considers the databases and medical records of 1,890 patients who underwent cardiac catheterization at a hemodynamic unit from April 2014 to April 2016. Microsoft Office Excel® software was used to both organize and analyze the data. CAAE No. 55615616.0.0000.5282. Results: The average age was 61.45 years old. The majority of the assisted population is indicated by the National Regulation System (63%) with the following distribution: (52.86%) male and (47.14%) female. It was identified that 79.5% of the users have high blood pressure. It was found that the current strategy for monitoring the assisted users shows information deficiencies

Objetivo: Traçar o perfil clínico-epidemiológico de usuários submetidos ao cateterismo cardíaco; propor uma tecnologia gerencial para criar um banco de dados com informações de interesse epidemiológico. Método: Estudo quantitativo, retrospectivo de bases de dados e prontuários de 1890 usuários submetidos ao procedimento na unidade de hemodinâmica entre abril/2014 e abril/2016. Utilizou-se o software Microsoft Office Excel® para organização e análise dos dados. CAAE:55615616.0.0000.5282 Resultados: A idade média é de 61,45 anos. A maioria da população atendida é encaminhada pelo Sistema de Regulação (63%) e sua distribuição: (52,86%) masculino e (47,14%) feminino. Identificou-se que 79,5% dos usuários são hipertensos. Verificou-se que a atual estratégia para acompanhamento dos usuários atendidos apresenta falhas nas informações. Conclusão: A consulta de enfermagem com a obtenção de informações relevantes e determinantes para as condutas de enfermagem, contribui para a melhoria do Sistema Único de Saúde. Descritores: Cateterismo cardíaco; Enfermagem; Fatores de risco; Hemodinâmica; Perfil epidemiológico

Bayesian estimation of the average treatment effect on the treated using inverse weighting.

We develop a Bayesian approach to estimate the average treatment effect on the treated in the presence of confounding. The approach builds on developments proposed by Saarela et al in the context of marginal structural models, using importance sampling weights to adjust for confounding and estimate a causal effect. The Bayesian bootstrap is adopted to approximate posterior distributions of interest and avoid the issue of feedback that arises in Bayesian causal estimation relying on a joint likelihood. We present results from simulation studies to estimate the average treatment effect on the treated, evaluating the impact of sample size and the strength of confounding on estimation. We illustrate our approach using the classic Right Heart Catheterization data set and find a negative causal effect of the exposure on 30-day survival, in accordance with previous analyses of these data. We also apply our approach to the data set of the National Center for Health Statistics Birth Data and obtain a negative effect of maternal smoking during pregnancy on birth weight.

Catheterization Performed in the Early Postoperative Period After Congenital Heart Surgery in Children.

The aim of this study was to describe pediatric patients who underwent early postoperative cardiac catheterization after congenital heart surgery, their clinical indications, findings, interventions, and complications in a cardiovascular center. A descriptive retrospective study was performed. All catheterizations performed within 6 weeks after congenital heart surgery between January 2004 and December 2014 were reviewed. We analyzed 101 early postoperative catheterizations. They were performed on median postoperative day five (IQR: 0-39); the median age was 64 days (IQR: 22-240). The most common diagnoses were single ventricle (53%), left heart obstruction (12%), and tetralogy of fallot or pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (11%). Most common indications were persistent cyanosis (53%), low cardiac output (24%), and residual defect on echocardiogram (20%). Most frequent findings during the catheterization were pulmonary artery stenosis (29%), surgical conduit obstruction (12%), and coarctation or hypoplasia of the aorta (11%). Forty-six (45%) procedures involved intervention. Most frequent interventions were pulmonary artery, aorta, and Blalock-Taussig fistula angioplasty with or without stent implantation. There were adverse effects in 11 cases (11%), and 30-day mortality was 28% (28 patients) with the majority unrelated to the catheterization directly. Although early postoperative catheterizations are high-risk procedures, they are currently a very good option to solve acute problems in critically ill patients. This study provides relevant information for a better understanding and approach to this complex group of patients.

Severity of obstructive sleep apnea and extension of coronary artery disease.

PURPOSE: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is highly prevalent among patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). The relationship between the severity of OSA and the severity of CAD has not been entirely established. The objective was to explore the type of correlation existent between the apnea-hypopnea index and the Gensini score, which provides granularity in terms of CAD extension and severity, in search of a dose-response relationship. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients that underwent cardiac catheterization due to the suspicion of CAD. Coronary lesions were classified according to one's Gensini score. The severity of OSA was determined by the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), obtainable through a respiratory polysomnography. RESULTS: Eighty patients were eligible for the study. The mean age was 55 years, and 37% had AHI ≥ 15. Forty-four subjects (55%) had a Gensini score of 0, and five had a score < 2, indicating a 25% obstruction in a non-proximal artery; these individuals were considered non-CAD controls; and clinical characteristics were similar between them and CAD cases. Attempts to correlate the AHI with the Gensini score either converting both variables to square root (r = 0.08) or using Spearman's rho (rho = 0.13) obtained small, non-significant coefficients. AHI ≥ 15 was a predictor of a Gensini score ≥ 2 with a large effect size (OR 4.46) when adjusted for age ≥ 55 years, BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, uric acid, and hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing coronary angiography due to suspected CAD, moderate-severe OSA was associated with the presence of CAD but no significant correlation was found between the lesion severity and the AHI. Our results suggest that OSA influences CAD pathogenesis but a dose-response relationship is unlikely.

Intramural Ventricular Septal Defect Is a Distinct Clinical Entity Associated With Postoperative Morbidity in Children After Repair of Conotruncal Anomalies.

BACKGROUND: Intramural ventricular septal defects (VSDs) are interventricular communications through right ventricular free wall trabeculations that can occur after repair of conotruncal anomalies. We assessed the prevalence of residual intramural VSDs and their effect on postoperative course. METHODS AND RESULTS: Children who underwent biventricular repair of a conotruncal anomaly from January 1, 2006, to June 30, 2013, and had a postoperative transthoracic echocardiogram were included. Images were reviewed for residual intramural or nonintramural VSDs. The primary outcome was a composite of mortality, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use, and need for subsequent catheter or surgical VSD closure. The secondary outcome was postoperative hospital length of stay. A residual VSD was present in 256 of the 442 subjects (58%), of which 231 (90%) were <2 mm in size. Forty-nine patients (11%) had intramural VSDs, and 207 (47%) had nonintramural VSDs. Patients with intramural VSDs were more likely to reach the primary composite outcome compared with those with nonintramural VSDs or no residual VSD (14 of 49 [29%] versus 15 of 207 [7%] versus 6 of 186 [3%]; P<0.0001). In addition, those with intramural VSDs had longer postoperative hospital length of stay compared with those with nonintramural VSDs or no residual VSD (20 days [interquartile range, 11-42 days] versus 7 days [interquartile range, 5-14 days] versus 6 days [interquartile range, 4-11 days]; P=0.0001). These associations remained significant after adjustment for known risk factors for poor outcomes, including residual VSD size and operative complexity. CONCLUSIONS: Among residual VSDs after repair of conotruncal anomalies, intramural VSDs are uniquely associated with postoperative morbidity, mortality, and longer postoperative hospital length of stay. It is important to recognize intramural VSDs in the postoperative period.

Investigation Route of the Coronary Patient in the Public Health System in Curitiba, São Paulo and in Incor - IMPACT Study / Itinerário de Investigação do Paciente Coronariano do SUS em Curitiba, São Paulo e Incor - Estudo IMPACT

Background: The investigation of stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and its treatment depend on risk stratification for decision-making on the need for cardiac catheterization and revascularization. Objective: To analyze the procedures used in the diagnosis and invasive treatment of patients with CAD, at the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) in the cities of Curitiba, São Paulo and at InCor-FMUSP. Methods: Retrospective, descriptive, observational study of the diagnostic and therapeutic itineraries of the Brazilian public health care system patient, between groups submitted or not to prior noninvasive tests to invasive cardiac catheterization. Stress testing, stress echocardiography, perfusion scintigraphy, catheterization and percutaneous or surgical revascularization treatment procedures were quantified and the economic impact of the used strategies. Results: There are significant differences in the assessment of patients with suspected or known CAD in the metropolitan region in the three scenarios. Although functional testing procedures are most often used the direct costs of these procedures differ significantly (6.1% in Curitiba, 20% in São Paulo and 27% in InCor-FMUSP). Costs related to the procedures and invasive treatments represent 59.7% of the direct costs of SUS in São Paulo and 87.2% in Curitiba. In InCor-FMUSP, only 24.3% of patients with stable CAD submitted to CABG underwent a noninvasive test before the procedure. Conclusion: Although noninvasive functional tests are the ones most often requested for the assessment of patients with suspected or known CAD most of the costs are related to invasive procedures/treatments. In most revascularized patients, the documentation of ischemic burden was not performed by SUS. .

Fundamento: A investigação da doença arterial coronariana (DAC) estável e seu tratamento dependem da estratificação de risco para a decisão sobre a necessidade de cateterismo cardíaco e revascularização. Objetivo: Analisar os procedimentos utilizados no diagnóstico e tratamento invasivo dos pacientes com DAC do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) nos municípios de Curitiba, São Paulo e no IIncor- FMUSP. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo, descritivo, observacional dos itinerários diagnósticos e terapêuticos dos pacientes do SUS, entre os grupos submetidos ou não a testes não invasivos prévios ao cateterismo cardíaco invasivo. Foram quantificados os procedimentos de teste ergométrico, ecocardiograma de estresse, cintilografia de perfusão, cateterismo e tratamento com revascularização percutânea ou cirúrgica e o impacto econômico destas estratégias utilizadas. Resultados: Existem diferenças importantes na avaliação do paciente com DAC suspeita ou conhecida nos três cenários. Apesar dos testes funcionais serem os procedimentos mais frequentemente utilizados, os custos diretos referentes a esses procedimentos diferem significativamente (6,1% em Curitiba, 20% em São Paulo e 27% no Incor-FMUSP). Os custos relacionados aos procedimentos e tratamentos invasivos representam 59,7% dos custos diretos do SUS em São Paulo e 87,2% em Curitiba. No Incor-FMUSP, apenas 24,3% dos pacientes com DAC estável submetidos à revascularização foram submetidos a um teste não invasivo antes do procedimento. Conclusão: Apesar dos testes funcionais não invasivos serem os exames mais frequentemente solicitados na avaliação de pacientes com DAC suspeita ou conhecida, a maior parte dos custos está relacionada a procedimento/tratamento ...

Investigation route of the coronary patient in the public health system in Curitiba, São Paulo and in InCor--IMPACT study.

BACKGROUND: The investigation of stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and its treatment depend on risk stratification for decision-making on the need for cardiac catheterization and revascularization. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the procedures used in the diagnosis and invasive treatment of patients with CAD, at the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) in the cities of Curitiba, São Paulo and at InCor-FMUSP. METHODS: Retrospective, descriptive, observational study of the diagnostic and therapeutic itineraries of the Brazilian public health care system patient, between groups submitted or not to prior noninvasive tests to invasive cardiac catheterization. Stress testing, stress echocardiography, perfusion scintigraphy, catheterization and percutaneous or surgical revascularization treatment procedures were quantified and the economic impact of the used strategies. RESULTS: There are significant differences in the assessment of patients with suspected or known CAD in the metropolitan region in the three scenarios. Although functional testing procedures are most often used the direct costs of these procedures differ significantly (6.1% in Curitiba, 20% in São Paulo and 27% in InCor-FMUSP). Costs related to the procedures and invasive treatments represent 59.7% of the direct costs of SUS in São Paulo and 87.2% in Curitiba. In InCor-FMUSP, only 24.3% of patients with stable CAD submitted to CABG underwent a noninvasive test before the procedure. CONCLUSION: Although noninvasive functional tests are the ones most often requested for the assessment of patients with suspected or known CAD most of the costs are related to invasive procedures/treatments. In most revascularized patients, the documentation of ischemic burden was not performed by SUS.

Incidence, in-hospital case-fatality rates, and management practices in Puerto Ricans hospitalized with acute myocardial infarction.

OBJECTIVE: There are extremely limited data on minority populations, especially Hispanics, describing the clinical epidemiology of acute coronary disease. The aim of this study is to examine the incidence rate of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), in-hospital case-fatality rate (CFR), and management practices among residents of greater San Juan (Puerto Rico) who were hospitalized with an initial AMI. METHODS: Our trained study staff reviewed and independently validated the medical records of patients who had been hospitalized with possible AMI at any of the twelve hospitals located in greater San Juan during calendar year 2007. RESULTS: The incidence rate (# per 100,000 population) of 1,415 patients hospitalized with AMI increased with advancing age and were significantly higher for older patients for men (198) than they were for women (134). The average age of the study population was 64 years, and women comprised 45% of the study sample. Evidence-based cardiac therapies, e.g., aspirin, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, and statins, were used with 60% of the hospitalized patients, and women were less likely than men to have received these therapies (59% vs. 65%) or to have undergone interventional cardiac procedures (47% vs. 59%) (p<0.05). The in-hospital CFR increased with advancing age and were higher for women (8.6%) than they were for men (6.0%) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Efforts are needed to reduce the magnitude of AMI, enhance the use of evidence-based cardiac therapies, reduce possible gender disparities, and improve the short-term prognoses of Puerto Rican patients hospitalized with an initial AMI.

Disparities in rates of acute MI hospitalization and coronary procedures on the US-Mexico border.

BACKGROUND: Hospitalization rates for acute myocardial infarction can provide insight into the utilization of care by disadvantaged populations. However, these data have not been reported for the US-Mexico border region. METHODS: Hospital discharge public use data files for 2000 were obtained from the health departments of Arizona, California, and Texas. The diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction was based on International Classification of Diseases-9th Revision, Clinical Modification code 410 as a primary discharge diagnosis. In addition, cardiac catheterization, coronary angioplasty, and bypass grafting procedures were enumerated. Discharges were classified as occurring in hospitals in border counties and nonborder counties. RESULTS: Overall, 12,464 hospital discharges in border counties had acute myocardial infarction listed as the first diagnosis. Among those aged 45-64 and >or=65 years in border counties, Texas had the lowest discharge rates (eg, at >or=65 years: Texas 95, California 134 per 10,000), lower than in nonborder counties. Among those aged >or=65 years, rates in Texas also were lower in border than nonborder counties, a pattern not seen in other states. On the contrary, rates of catheterization and bypass grafting were highest in Texas, whereas the rates of bypass grafting were actually higher in border than in nonborder counties. In border and nonborder counties of the combined states, hospitalization rates of acute myocardial infarction in Hispanics were lower than those of non-Hispanics. Rates varied little between border and nonborder counties within ethnic groups. A similar pattern was observed for the hospital use of angioplasty and coronary bypass surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest possible underutilization of hospital in-patient care for coronary artery disease by Hispanics who were residents of Texas border counties. Further studies are needed to test this hypothesis using more recent data.

Performance of coronary procedures through the transulnar access without assessment of the integrity of the deep palmar arch.

Occurrence of ischemic complications after transulnar coronary procedures is virtually absent. The presence of a complete deep palmar arch in approximately 95% of the population as well as the great capacity of the collateral circulation of the hand might justify these findings. We report the occurrence of complications in 62 patients submitted to coronary procedures through the transulnar approach, without assessment of the integrity of the deep palmar arch by the inverse Allen's test. The rate of asymptomatic occlusion of the ulnar artery was 3%, without any ischemic complication. We believe the performance of Allen's test is not necessary when using transulnar access.

Cambio en la modalidad de cuidados, en pacientes con cateterismo intervencionista / A change in the care of patients with minimally invasive transcatheter procedures

Desde que algunas cirugías cardíacas han sido reemplazadas por los cateterismos intervecionistas, la morbilidad postquirúrgica, ha disminuido notablemente en los pacientes con cardiopatías congénitas, quienes luego del procedimiento intervecionista eran controlados en la unidad de terapia intensiva cardiovascular (UCI 35) hasta el alta.Objetivo:evaluar una nueva modalidad de atención terapéutica(cateterismo intervencionista), y la posibilidad de disminuir la criticidad/complejidad de los cuidados post-quirúrgicos, así como optimizar la utilización de camas en UCI.Material y Método:Estudio prospectivo y longitudinal. Se elaboró un protocolo de seguimiento, con la instrucción y entrenamiento de los enfermeros y médicos clínicos del CIM (cuidados intermedios y moderados, utilizando aparatos de monitor no invasivo existentes en la sala, y se planificó la internación de estos pacientes en CIM junto a sus padres. Se excluyeron los niños con inestabilidad homodinámica, arritmias, necesidad de asistencia respiratoria mecánica y complicaciones durante el procedimiento. Resultados : Se evaluaron 308 pacientes internados desde el 1/3/00 hasta el 30/12/03. Edad : mediana : 3.5 años. r 2m- 20 años. Los diagnósticos mas frecuentes fueron Ductus n=174(59 por ciento), CIA n=27 (9 por ciento) y Estenosis Pulmonar n=35 (12 por ciento). El procedimiento mas frecuente fue el cierre de Ductus (59 por ciento)con stent o coil. Se observaron complicaciones post quirúrgicas en 27 pacientes, la mas frecuente fue trombosis n=11 (40.7 por ciento) asociada a edad menos de 2 años como factor de riesgo. Sólo dos pacientes requirieron pase a UCI. El tiempo de internación fue : mediana 1 día, r : 1-120 días. Ningún paciente requirió internación. Conclusiones : Con esta modalidad se logró mejorar el costo efectividad, costo beneficio y costo utilidad : un ahorro de 770 pacientes/días en UCI, 308 pacientes pudieron permanecer internados junto a sus padres, y considerando que el costo en nuestro hospital para estos pacientes en UCI es de $700 versus $290 en CIM; el ahorro fue de $410/día

[Post-discharge survival of newborn infants with congenital cardiopathies undergoing heart surgery or interventional catheterization]. / Sobrevida al egreso hospitalario de recién nacidos con cardiopatías congénitas sometidos a cirugía cardiaca o cateterismo intervencionista.

OBJECTIVE: To report survival of newborns with congenital heart disease who underwent cardiac surgery during neonatal period. DESIGN: Descriptive, ambispective. SETTING: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI. PATIENTS: We studied 74 newborns with congenital heart defects who underwent corrective surgery, palliative surgery or interventional techniques and received preoperative and postoperative care in NICU. Premature patients with patent ductus arteriosus were excluded. RESULTS: The following median values were found: birth weight was 2,862 g, gestational age was 39 weeks, onset of symptoms was 1 day, age at surgery was 14.5 days and postoperative hospital stay was 9 days. Most frequent congenital heart defects were single-ventricle, transposition of the great arteries and hypoplastic right heart. Fifty percent of surgeries were corrective, 46% were palliative and 4% were interventional techniques. Global survival was 51%, for curative surgery was 43% and for palliative surgery was 58%. Only 3 patients underwent interventional cardiology, 2 of them died (survival 33%). CONCLUSIONS: Global survival in newborns who underwent cardiac surgery is lower in comparison with other studies. Survival is higher in children with palliative surgery in comparison with those who underwent corrective surgery.

Sobrevida al egreso hospitalario de recién nacidos con cardiopatÝas congÚnitas sometidos a cirugÝa cardiaca o cateterismo intervencionista / Post-discharge survival of newborn infants with congenital cardiopathies undergoing heart surgery or interventional catheterization

OBJECTIVE: To report survival of newborns with congenital heart disease who underwent cardiac surgery during neonatal period. DESIGN: Descriptive, ambispective. SETTING: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Hospital de PediatrÝa, Centro MÚdico Nacional Siglo XXI. PATIENTS: We studied 74 newborns with congenital heart defects who underwent corrective surgery, palliative surgery or interventional techniques and received preoperative and postoperative care in NICU. Premature patients with patent ductus arteriosus were excluded. RESULTS: The following median values were found: birth weight was 2,862 g, gestational age was 39 weeks, onset of symptoms was 1 day, age at surgery was 14.5 days and postoperative hospital stay was 9 days. Most frequent congenital heart defects were single-ventricle, transposition of the great arteries and hypoplastic right heart. Fifty percent of surgeries were corrective, 46 were palliative and 4 were interventional techniques. Global survival was 51, for curative surgery was 43 and for palliative surgery was 58. Only 3 patients underwent interventional cardiology, 2 of them died (survival 33). CONCLUSIONS: Global survival in newborns who underwent cardiac surgery is lower in comparison with other studies. Survival is higher in children with palliative surgery in comparison with those who underwent corrective surgery.

Cateterismo cardiaco en México: Resultados del censo 1996 de Servicios de Cateterismo Cardiaco por la Sociedad Mexicana de Cardiología / Cardiac catheterization in Mexico. Results of the 1996 survey of cardiac catheterization service by the Mexican Society of Cardiology

Se presentan los resultados del censo 1996, realizado por la Sociedad Mexicana de Cardiología, de los servicios de cateterismo cardiaco en la República Mexicana. Existen 52 servicios distribuidos en 16 ciudades de 13 estados y el Distrito Federal. Las ciudades que tienen más de un servicio son las de México con 20, Guadalajara 6 y Monterrey 5. El 96 por ciento de los servicios se encuentran en hospitales, en los que se puede hacer cirugía cardiovascular. Ocho (17 por ciento) tiene programa de entrenamiento en cateterismo cardiaco. Dos (3.8 por ciento) están dedicados específicamente a cateterismo cardiaco pediátrico. Los médicos con privilegios para efectuar cateterismo cardiaco suman 270. La problemática relacionada con la distribución geográfica de servicios, volumen de casos y número de médicos que efectúan cateterismo cardiaco son discutidos.

[Heart catheterization in Mexico. Results of the 1996 census of heart catheterization services by the Mexican Society of Cardiology]. / Cateterismo cardiaco en México: Resultados del censo 1996 de Servicios de Cateterismo Cardiaco por la Sociedad Mexicana de Cardiología.

The findings of the 1996 Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Survey of the Sociedad Mexicana de Cardiología are presented. There are 52 cardiac catheterization laboratory departments distributed in 16 cities of which Mexico City has 20, Guadalajara 6 and Monterrey 5. Ninety-six percent are in hospitals where heart surgery can be performed and 8 (17%) have a training program in cardiac catheterization. Only two (3.8%) are exclusively dedicated to pediatric cardiac catheterization. In 1995, 19,214 diagnostic procedures and 2,429 PTCAs were done. A total of 270 physicians were reported to have privileges to perform cardiac catheterization. The geographical distribution of the cath labs, procedure volumes and number of physicians performing catheterization are discussed.

Is cardiac catheterization being appropriately utilized in Trinidad and Tobago?

Coronary angiography is an expensive technology which has recently become available in Trinidad and Tobago. Established methods have not so far been proposed to monitor the appropriateness of its utilization. We hypothesized that a frequency of normal results comprising greater than 25 percent of the population undergoing coronary angiography should prompt a review of policy with a view to improving resource utilization. This is consistent with the American Heart Association's benchmark figure of 25 percent set for mature laboratories operating in the United States. We therefore retrospectively reviewed all catheterization records of patients undergoing cardiac catheterization at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex during its first three years of operation (1993-1995). Of a total of 785 patients undergoing procedures, 453 had coronary angiography. The number of studies per year increased from 96 in 1993, to 190 in 1994 and 167 in 1995. Thirty-one percent of patients were reported to have normal coronary arteries in the first year of operation. However, this fell to 22 per cent in 1994 and 21 percent in 1995. The first year's statistics are believed to represent a cautious initial referring practice and a learning curve. Second and third year statistics confirm an appropriate pattern of cost-efficient utilization of cardiac catheterization resources at this institution. We propose that the frequency of the finding of normal coronary angiograms is a valid indicator of the appropriateness of resource utilization, which should be voluntarily reported by catheterization laboratories throughout the region (AU)

An invasive cardiac and open heart surgical programme in Barbados: historical aspects and early results

Heart disease represents the leading cause of death in Barbados and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). The North Shore University Hospital, N.Y., through its Lifeline Programme offered the only regular outlet for approximately 450 patients who had cardiac surgery there between 1982 and 1992. A changing US health care policy, however, predicted an end to this programme and in 1989 a decision was made to develop a cardiac catheterisation and an open heart surgical programme at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) in Barbados, to serve Barbados and the OECS. This programme was implemented in December 1993 and between then and September 1995, 231 patients, aged two weeks to 75 years, underwent cardiac catheterisation. Of these patients, 186 were suspected of having coronary artery disease (CAD), 21 of having congenital heart disease (CHD) and 24 of having valvular disease. Fifteen patients were from countries other than Barbados, 70 have had open heart surgery (with a surgical mortality of 2.8 percent) and 12 have had closed heart procedures. One hundred and twenty-four (124) trans-oesophageal echocardiograms were done. A successful cardiac surgical programme has been set up at the QEH in Barbados with the cooperation of the Government and the private sector. The results are excellent and the spinoffs to the hospital have been many. In particular, a significant improvement in "critical care". What is more important, however, the programme has been set up at a "low" cost and is cost-effective, saving the country significant foreign exchange. Plans are in place to introduce Interventional Cardiology in the near future (AU)