[TIMI risk score validation for patients with acute coronary syndrome without ST elevation]. / Validación del score de riesgo TIMI para pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del ST.

Non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) are frequent cause of hospitalization, being responsible for 10-15% of infarcts or deaths per year. The study was designed to analyze 6 months follow-up of cardiovascular events as well as to validate the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score for patients hospitalized for NSTE-ACS. We retrospectively analyzed patients admitted with NSTE-ACS. Telephone follow-up were performed at 6 month. Combination of death, re-admission for acute coronary syndrome and revascularization were considered as end point. Two hundred and four patients were included for the analysis. There were 70.2% males, with a mean age of 64.5 +/- 11.8 years. After the initial evaluation, we diagnosed unstable angina in 34.6% of cases, MI in 38.9% of cases, and 26.4% of patients were categorized as "non coronary chest pain". Applying the TIMI risk score, 52 (25.5%) patients had low risk, 106 (52%) intermediated risk, and 46 (22.5%) high risk. The global mortality was 12.3%. We found a progressively and significant increase in the rate of combined events as the TIMI score increase (p < 0.001). We conclude that in our population, the intermediated and high TIMI risk score was well related to newer cardiovascular events at 6 month follow-up.

Validación del score de riesgo TIMI para pacientes con síndrome coronario agudo sin elevación del ST / TIMI risk score validation for patients with acute coronary syndrome without ST elevation

Los síndromes coronarios agudos sin elevación del segmento ST (SCA-SST) son causa frecuente de hospitalización, siendo responsables del 10 al 15% de infartos de miocardio (IM) o muertes al año. El objetivo fue evaluar eventos cardiovasculares a 6 meses de seguimiento y validar el score de riesgo TIMI (Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction) en nuestra población. Se analizaron retrospectivamente pacientes con diagnóstico de SCA-SST. Se realizó seguimiento telefónico a los 6 meses del ingreso. Los puntos finales evaluados fueron la combinación de muerte, internación por síndrome coronario agudo y necesidad de revascularización. Se incluyeron 204 pacientes. El 70.2% eran hombres, edad promedio de 64.5 ± 11.8 años. Luego de la evaluación inicial, se hizo diagnóstico de angina inestable en el 34.6%, IM en 38.9% y el 26.4% fueron catalogados como "dolor no coronario". Al aplicar el score de TIMI, 52 (25.5%) pacientes tenían riesgo bajo, 106 (52%) riesgo intermedio, y 46 (22.5%) riesgo alto. La mortalidad global fue 12.6%. Se encontró un incremento progresivo y significativo en la tasa de eventos combinados a medida que aumentaba el score de TIMI (p < 0.001). Concluimos que, en nuestra población, encontramos de gran utilidad al score de riesgo TIMI, ya que los pacientes con score intermedio y alto se correlacionaron con nuevos eventos cardiovasculares a 6 meses de seguimiento.

Non-ST elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) are frequent cause of hospitalization, being responsible for 10-15% of infarcts or deaths per year. The study was designed to analyze 6 months follow-up of cardiovascular events as well as to validate the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score for patients hospitalized for NSTE-ACS. We retrospectively analyzed patients admitted with NSTE-ACS. Telephone follow-up were performed at 6 month. Combination of death, re-admission for acute coronary syndrome and revascularization were considered as end point. Two hundred and four patients were included for the analysis. There were 70.2% males, with a mean age of 64.5 ± 11.8 years. After the initial evaluation, we diagnosed unstable angina in 34.6% of cases, MI in 38.9% of cases, and 26.4% of patients were categorized as "non coronary chest pain". Applying the TIMI risk score, 52 (25.5%) patients had low risk, 106 (52%) intermediated risk, and 46 (22.5%) high risk. The global mortality was 12.3%. We found a progressively and significant increase in the rate of combined events as the TIMI score increase (p < 0.001). We conclude that in our population, the intermediated and high TIMI risk score was well related to newer cardiovascular events at 6 month follow-up.

[Clinical characteristics and tilt test of patients with vasovagal syncope suspicion]. / Características clínicas y Tilt test de pacientes con sospecha de síncope vasovagal.

BACKGROUND: Vasovagal syncope is the most common cause of syncope and is an amount medical, social and economic problem. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We study a population of patients with history of syncope of presumed vasovagal origin submitted to head-up tilt test (TT) with intention to describe and to compare symptoms, signs and trigger situations between positive and negative TT. Twenty four variables were investigated (chosen according to the clinical experience). RESULTS: One hundred thirteen patients were included. The age mean was 33,3 ± 19,4 years and 67.3% corresponded to women. 81 patients (71,7%) experienced syncope during test. The more frequent response was mixed subtype (58 %), followed by vasodepressor response (30,9%) and cardioinhibitory response (11,1%). There were not significant differences between both groups in symptoms, signs and trigger situations. In patients with negative TT was more frequent syncopes triggered by extreme exercise (p = 0,012). CONCLUSION: In patients with vasovagal syncope suspicion, a clinic history does not predict TT results.

[Endocarditis of pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator leads]. / Endocarditis relacionada a cables de marcapasos o cardiodesfibriladores implantables.

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis includes the endovascular devices infection. The main objective was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and evolution of the endocarditis related to electronics devices. CASE REPORTS: Between 2002 - 2007 periods were identified 7 patients, age average of 56.5 years. The clinical presentation was fever of unknown origin in 85.7%, with a mean of 28 days of evolution. The microbiology isolated was coagulase-negative staphylococci in 6 patients and staphylococcus aureus in 1 patient. The treatment was complete system extraction and antibiotic therapy, except in 1 case that only received antibiotics. There were 2 deaths (28,5%) during in hospital follow-up. CONCLUSION: The endocarditis related to devices is a disease with high mortality. Early diagnosis and system extraction are very important for the treatment and prognosis.

Endocarditis relacionada a cables de marcapasos o cardiodesfibriladores implantables / Endocarditis of pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator leads

Antecedentes: Dentro del síndrome de endocarditis infecciosa, se incluyen la infección de dispositivos endovasculares. el objetivo de la presentación fue avaluar las características clínicas y la evolución de la endocarditis relacionada a dispositivos electrónicos endovasculares. Casos clínicos: entre 2002 - 2007 fueron identificados 7 pacientes con edad promedio de 56,5 años. La presentación clínica fue en el 85,7% fiebre de origen desconocido, con un promedio de 28 días de evolución del cuadro. Los germenes aislados fueron estafilococo coagulasa negativo en 6 pacientes y estafilococo aureus en 1 paciente. El tratamiento se baso en la extracción del sistema y terapia antibiótica, salvo 1 caso que solo recibió tratamiento antibiótico. Hubo 2 (28,5%) muertes intrahospitalarias durante el seguimiento. Conclusión: La endocarditis relacionada a dispositivos es una entidad con elevada mortalidad. el diagnóstico temprano y la extracción del sistema son de vital importancia para el tratamiento y pronóstico.

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis includes the endovascular devices infection. The main objective was to evaluate the clinical characteristics and evolution of the endocarditis related to electronics devices. CASE REPORTS: Between 2002 - 2007 periods were identified 7 patients, age average of 56.5 years. The clinical presentation was fever of unknown origin in 85.7%, with a mean of 28 days of evolution. The microbiology isolated was coagulase-negative staphylococci in 6 patients and staphylococcus aureus in 1 patient. The treatment was complete system extraction and antibiotic therapy, except in 1 case that only received antibiotics. There were 2 deaths (28,5%) during in hospital follow-up. CONCLUSION: The endocarditis related to devices is a disease with high mortality. Early diagnosis and system extraction are very important for the treatment and prognosis.

Comparación de valores de NT pro BNP en pacientes con fibrilación auricular con y sin trombos en orejuela deaurícula izquierda: experiencia inicial / NT pro BNP levels comparation between patients with and withoutleft atrial appendage thrombi: initial expereince

El péptido natriuretico cerebral (BNP) ha sido propuesto como indicador de disfunción de la orejuela de la aurículaizquierda (OAI) en fibrilación auricular (FA) no valvular; siendo esta un factor protrombotico local. El objetivo del trabajo fue demostrar una mayor concentración de la fracción n-terminal del BNP (NT pro BNP) en aquellos pacientes con FA y trombos en la OAI. Se seleccionaron 11 pacientes, 3 pacientes en el grupo 1 (con trombo en OAI) y 8 pacientes en el grupo2 (sin trombo en OAI). La media de NT pro BNP fue de 832 pg/ml vs 694 pg/ml, grupo 1 y 2 respectivamente (p= 0,30). Concluimos entonces, que si bien el valor de BNP marcó una tendencia a favor, no tuvo relación con la presencia de trombo en OAI, pero necesitamos un mayor número de pacientes para rechazar esta hipótesis

[Ischemic hepatitis]. / Hepatitis isquémica.

Ischemic hepatitis is an uncommon cardiovascular surgery complication. Hepatic biopsies show centrolobulillar necrosis. The term "hepatitis" was proposed because of a raise in hepatic enzymes similar with infectious disease, and "ischemic" because of failure in hepatic perfusion. Ischemic hepatitis was then defined as an acute and reversible elevation of hepatic enzymes (within 72 h), associated with disturbance in hepatic perfusion after excluding other causes of acute hepatitis. A 53 year-old male presented complaining of a 12 h epigastric pain, without nausea or vomiting, resistant to medication. He underwent an aortic valve replacement and was under anticoagulation. He suddenly developed shock and multiorgan failure. Jaundice and cardiac tamponade signs were present, associated with elevated hepatic enzymes. A transthoracic echocardiography accounted for cardiac tamponade signs. A pericardiocentesis was performed, removing 970 cc of hemorrhagic fluid, and hemodialysis, with improvement of his hemodynamic status. Hepatic enzymes improved. Viral markers were negative.

Hepatitis isquemica / Ischemic hepatitis

La hepatitis isquémica es una complicación sumamente infrecuente de cirugía cardiovascular. Las biopsias muestran necrosis centrolobulillar. El término de “hepatitis” fue propuesto debido al aumento de transaminasas similar a aquellas de origen infeccioso, e “isquémica” por falla en la perfusión hepática. Posteriormente se definió el término de hepatitis isquémica como cuadro de elevación aguda y reversible(dentro de las 72 horas) de transaminasas de hasta 20 veces el valor normal, asociado a trastornos en la perfusión hepática, luego de haber excluido otras causas de hepatitis aguda o daño hepatocelular. Se describe elcaso de un paciente de 53 años que consulta por dolor epigástrico de 12 h de evolución sin fiebre, náuseas nivómitos, resistente a la medicación. Tenía antecedentes inmediatos de reemplazo de válvula aórtica, y estabaanticoagulado. Evolucionó con shock y fallo multiorgánico. El examen evidenció marcada ictericia y signos detaponamiento pericárdico, asociado a un aumento considerable de enzimas hepáticas. Un ecocardiograma informósignos de taponamiento cardíaco y ausencia de disección aórtica. Se decidió pericardiocentesis, extrayéndose 970 cc. de líquido sanguinolento, y hemodiálisis, con notable mejoría de su estado hemodinámico. Los valores enzimáticos disminuyeron. Los marcadores virales fueron negativos

Ischemic hepatitis is an uncommon cardiovascular surgery complication. Hepatic biopsies show centrolobulillar necrosis. The term “hepatitis” was proposed because of a raise in hepaticenzymes similar with infectious disease, and “ischemic” because of failure in hepatic perfusion. Ischemic hepatitis was then defined as an acute and reversible elevation of hepatic enzymes (within 72 h), associated with disturbance in hepatic perfusion after excluding other causes of acute hepatitis. A 53 year-old male presentedcomplaining of a 12 h epigastric pain, without nausea or vomiting, resistant to medication. He underwent an aortic valve replacement and was under anticoagulation. He suddenly developed shock and multiorgan failure. Jaundice and cardiac tamponade signs were present, associated with elevated hepatic enzymes. A transthoracicechocardiography accounted for cardiac tamponade signs. A pericardiocentesis was performed, removing 970 cc of hemorrhagic fluid, and hemodialysis, with improvement of his hemodynamic status. Hepatic enzymes improved. Viral markers were negative

Hepatitis isquemica / Ischemic hepatitis

La hepatitis isquémica es una complicación sumamente infrecuente de cirugía cardiovascular. Las biopsias muestran necrosis centrolobulillar. El término de ¶hepatitis÷ fue propuesto debido al aumento de transaminasas similar a aquellas de origen infeccioso, e ¶isquémica÷ por falla en la perfusión hepática. Posteriormente se definió el término de hepatitis isquémica como cuadro de elevación aguda y reversible(dentro de las 72 horas) de transaminasas de hasta 20 veces el valor normal, asociado a trastornos en la perfusión hepática, luego de haber excluido otras causas de hepatitis aguda o daño hepatocelular. Se describe elcaso de un paciente de 53 años que consulta por dolor epigástrico de 12 h de evolución sin fiebre, náuseas nivómitos, resistente a la medicación. Tenía antecedentes inmediatos de reemplazo de válvula aórtica, y estabaanticoagulado. Evolucionó con shock y fallo multiorgánico. El examen evidenció marcada ictericia y signos detaponamiento pericárdico, asociado a un aumento considerable de enzimas hepáticas. Un ecocardiograma informósignos de taponamiento cardíaco y ausencia de disección aórtica. Se decidió pericardiocentesis, extrayéndose 970 cc. de líquido sanguinolento, y hemodiálisis, con notable mejoría de su estado hemodinámico. Los valores enzimáticos disminuyeron. Los marcadores virales fueron negativos (AU)

Ischemic hepatitis is an uncommon cardiovascular surgery complication. Hepatic biopsies show centrolobulillar necrosis. The term ¶hepatitis÷ was proposed because of a raise in hepaticenzymes similar with infectious disease, and ¶ischemic÷ because of failure in hepatic perfusion. Ischemic hepatitis was then defined as an acute and reversible elevation of hepatic enzymes (within 72 h), associated with disturbance in hepatic perfusion after excluding other causes of acute hepatitis. A 53 year-old male presentedcomplaining of a 12 h epigastric pain, without nausea or vomiting, resistant to medication. He underwent an aortic valve replacement and was under anticoagulation. He suddenly developed shock and multiorgan failure. Jaundice and cardiac tamponade signs were present, associated with elevated hepatic enzymes. A transthoracicechocardiography accounted for cardiac tamponade signs. A pericardiocentesis was performed, removing 970 cc of hemorrhagic fluid, and hemodialysis, with improvement of his hemodynamic status. Hepatic enzymes improved. Viral markers were negative (AU)

Hepatitis isquemica / Ischemic hepatitis

La hepatitis isquémica es una complicación sumamente infrecuente de cirugía cardiovascular. Las biopsias muestran necrosis centrolobulillar. El término de ¶hepatitis÷ fue propuesto debido al aumento de transaminasas similar a aquellas de origen infeccioso, e ¶isquémica÷ por falla en la perfusión hepática. Posteriormente se definió el término de hepatitis isquémica como cuadro de elevación aguda y reversible(dentro de las 72 horas) de transaminasas de hasta 20 veces el valor normal, asociado a trastornos en la perfusión hepática, luego de haber excluido otras causas de hepatitis aguda o daño hepatocelular. Se describe elcaso de un paciente de 53 años que consulta por dolor epigástrico de 12 h de evolución sin fiebre, náuseas nivómitos, resistente a la medicación. Tenía antecedentes inmediatos de reemplazo de válvula aórtica, y estabaanticoagulado. Evolucionó con shock y fallo multiorgánico. El examen evidenció marcada ictericia y signos detaponamiento pericárdico, asociado a un aumento considerable de enzimas hepáticas. Un ecocardiograma informósignos de taponamiento cardíaco y ausencia de disección aórtica. Se decidió pericardiocentesis, extrayéndose 970 cc. de líquido sanguinolento, y hemodiálisis, con notable mejoría de su estado hemodinámico. Los valores enzimáticos disminuyeron. Los marcadores virales fueron negativos (AU)

Ischemic hepatitis is an uncommon cardiovascular surgery complication. Hepatic biopsies show centrolobulillar necrosis. The term ¶hepatitis÷ was proposed because of a raise in hepaticenzymes similar with infectious disease, and ¶ischemic÷ because of failure in hepatic perfusion. Ischemic hepatitis was then defined as an acute and reversible elevation of hepatic enzymes (within 72 h), associated with disturbance in hepatic perfusion after excluding other causes of acute hepatitis. A 53 year-old male presentedcomplaining of a 12 h epigastric pain, without nausea or vomiting, resistant to medication. He underwent an aortic valve replacement and was under anticoagulation. He suddenly developed shock and multiorgan failure. Jaundice and cardiac tamponade signs were present, associated with elevated hepatic enzymes. A transthoracicechocardiography accounted for cardiac tamponade signs. A pericardiocentesis was performed, removing 970 cc of hemorrhagic fluid, and hemodialysis, with improvement of his hemodynamic status. Hepatic enzymes improved. Viral markers were negative (AU)