Focused transthoracic echocardiography curriculum for advanced practice providers assures good concordance with intensivists at echocardiography.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a focused transthoracic echocardiography (FoTE) curriculum for advanced practice providers (APPs) for echocardiography-driven diagnosis of shock in critically ill patients. METHODS: Twelve APPs in 4 intensive care units at an academic medical center received didactic sessions on FoTE, including 1-on-1 proctorship with a registered cardiac sonographer. For a period of 6 months the trainees performed individual studies, then they performed FoTE examinations on critically ill patients; their diagnoses were compared with those of experienced intensivists for the same patients. RESULTS: After 6 months of multiple steps of training, APPs could acquire good echocardiographic views, achieving a good inter-rater agreement (Cohen's κ of 0.745 [95% CI, 0.385-1.0; P < .01]) in the diagnosis of shock when compared to experienced intensivists. CONCLUSIONS: Structured FoTE curriculum enables APPs to have reasonably good diagnostic concordance with intensivists in an echocardiography-driven diagnosis of shock in critically ill patients.

Impact of a focused transthoracic echocardiography training course for rescue applications among anesthesiology and critical care medicine practitioners: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of a sequence of educational interventions in a one-day course on focused transthoracic echocardiography (FOTE) by anesthesia and critical care practitioners. DESIGN: A prospective analysis of the educational data. SETTING: Educational setting in two academic medical centers and a medical meeting workshop organized by one of these institutions. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-six anesthesia and critical care providers, divided into three groups, participated separately in a FOTE training course. INTERVENTIONS: All participants received a sequence of educational intervention as follows: A standardized, multiple-choice pretest; a lecture on cardiac and lung ultrasound; and a FOTE "hands-on" training session. The same standardized test was administered and graded as a posttest. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Fifty-six professionals attended the course in three separate groups: The first were cardiothoracic anesthesia fellows (n = 16) (group 1), the second included critical care practitioners (n = 21) (group 2), and the third were general anesthesiologists (n = 19) (group 3). Parasternal views were most difficult to obtain for all groups (58.1, 63.8, and 58%, respectively). The mean written test scores increased from 14.9±2 to 21.0±2.3 in group 1; from 12.3±3.8 to 19.2±3.7 in group 2; 12±3.5 to 21±2.4 in group 3, (p = 0.0003, 0.00005, 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A FOTE training course improves image acquisition skills and knowledge to the same level independently of professional background and level of experience in critical care ultrasound.

Impact of adventitial neovascularisation on atherosclerotic plaque composition and vascular remodelling in a porcine model of coronary atherosclerosis.

AIMS: There is little in vivo data in regards to the impact of adventitial neovascularisation on vascular remodelling and plaque composition. Using a porcine model of coronary atherosclerosis, we aimed to determine the impact of adventitial neovascularisation on plaque composition and vascular remodelling evaluated by IVUS. METHODS AND RESULTS: Coronary atherosclerosis was induced by adventitial delivery of lipids and a high cholesterol diet. At termination all vessels were analysed using IVUS to determine the degree of remodelling of each individual segment containing atherosclerotic lesions. Then, each segment was correlated with its correspondent histological frame for plaque composition and neovessel density. A total of 57 atherosclerotic lesions at different stages of development were analysed. The total neovessel count (TNC) correlated to the degree of plaque burden (15.6+/-7.2 TNC in <40% stenosis versus 35.7+/-14.0 TNC in >60% stenosis, p<0.01) and to the amount of intra-plaque collagen (32.4+/-14.1%, lower TNC tertile versus 47.5+/-8.9% upper TNC tertile, p< 0.01). The amount of intra-plaque SMC content inversely correlated with the TNC (49.7+/-18.9% versus 36.4+/-14.4%, lower versus upper tertiles, p<0.05). Plaques with the highest TNC showed higher remodelling indexes by IVUS (0.89+/-0.32 in lower TNC tertile versus 1.36+/-0.73 in upper TNC tertile, p<0.05) and higher macrophage cell content (161.42+/-157.6 in lower TNC tertile versus 340.6+/-127.2 in upper TNC tertile, p<0.05) compared to non-remodelled segments. CONCLUSIONS: Adventitial neovascularisation is more prominent in positively remodelled segments and appears to be associated to SMC loss, increase collagen deposition and localised macrophage infiltration.

Effect of caffeine on platelet inhibition by clopidogrel in healthy subjects and patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND: Clopidogrel inhibits the platelet P2Y12 receptor, leading to increased intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels. Caffeine also causes a rise in platelet cAMP. We aimed to test the effect of acute caffeine administration on platelet inhibition by clopidogrel, in healthy volunteers and patients with coronary artery disease. METHODS: Cohort 1: 12 healthy subjects were enrolled in a 2-week crossover study. Blood samples were drawn at baseline, 2, 4, and 24 hours after 300 mg clopidogrel intake. At the first week, 6 subjects received caffeine (300 mg pill, equivalent to a medium sized coffee drink) 30 minutes after clopidogrel. At week 2, the other 6 subjects received caffeine. One month later the effect of caffeine alone was tested. Platelet function was evaluated by aggregation in response to 5, 10, and 20 micromol/L adenosine diphosphate, 1 microg/mL collagen, and flow cytometric determination of P-selectin expression, PAC-1 binding, and vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein phosphorylation. Cohort 2: 40 patients with coronary artery disease receiving aspirin and clopidogrel (75 mg daily) for > or = 1 week were tested at baseline and 2.5 hours after caffeine (300 mg). RESULTS: In cohort 1 (crossover study), caffeine was associated with lower adenosine diphosphate-induced aggregation at 4 hours, lower activation markers at 2 hours, and lower vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein phosphorylation at 4 hours after clopidogrel. Caffeine alone had no effect on the assessed platelet surface biomarkers. In cohort 2, caffeine administration was associated with lower platelet activation markers (P-selectin, PAC-1 binding), without significant effect on aggregation. CONCLUSIONS: Acute caffeine administration after clopidogrel loading appears to be associated with enhanced platelet inhibition 2 to 4 hours after clopidogrel intake. The mechanism probably involves synergistic increase in cAMP levels.

Factores de riesgo para el melasma. Medellín-2005 / Melasma risk factors: Medellín 2005

El melasma es una hipermelanosis principalmente de la cara frecuente en las mujeres del trópico cuya causa es desconocida. Se han implicado factorescomo el embarazo, la exposición a la luz ultravioleta y los anticonceptivos orales, pero no se conoce el nivel de asociación. Este estudio pretendeencontrar el grado de asociación de los factores etiológicos del melasma con el desarrollo de la enfermedad en mujeres mayores de dieciocho años dela ciudad de Medellín.Metodología: Se realizó un estudio de casos y controles. Se ingresaron 101 mujeres adultas que asistieron a la consulta de alguno de los investigadores,67 casos con diagnóstico clínico de melasma al momento del estudio y 34 controles, que no hubieran tenido anteriormente esta patología. Todosaceptaron voluntariamente participar en el estudio y firmaron el formato de consentimiento informado.El tamaño muestral se calculó basados en la exposición solar como factor principal de riesgo con una frecuencia teórica del 99% para los casos y del80% para los controles por experiencia clínica, con una confianza del 95%. La relación caso control fue 2 a 1. El instrumento de recolección de informaciónfue una encuesta diseñada para el estudio. La lectura de los datos se hizo a través del sistema teleform. Se realizó un análisis bivariado calculandolas diferencias de proporciones y el valor OR con intervalos de confianza y el valor de p, con una confianza del 95%.Resultados: La edad promedio fue de 38,3 años con un rango de 21-57 años.Casos: El tiempo de evolución del melasma varío de 1-20 años, 32 tenían un patrón homogéneo (47,7%) y 35 reticular (52,2%). La distribución centro-facial fue la más frecuente (52,2%) seguida de malar (35,8%) y en tercer lugar, mandibular (11,9%). El 80,5% aumentaban con la luz de Wood, el16,4% no cambiaban y el 3% disminuían.Factores de riesgo: Al analizar los factores de riesgo, los siguientes no tuvieron asociación significativa con el melasma: el fototipo, la paridad, el usoactual de anticonceptivos u otros fármacos no hormonales, la terapia hormonal diferente a las hormonas femeninas, el antecedente de enfermedadtiroidea y el antecedente de exposición solar.Se pudo comprobar una razón de disparidad mayor para sufrir la enfermedad en quienes tenían familiares en primer grado de consanguinidad conmelasma, con un OR 2,58 (intervalos 1,08-6,73) y p = 0,029, y el uso de maquillaje cosmético (tipo polvo o base) OR 3,69 (1,36-10,12) p = 0,0036.El consumo de bebidas colas fue un factor protector OR 0,021 (0,06-0,67) y p = 0,0026.Conclusión: De este estudio podemos concluir que de los múltiples factores implicados en la etiología del melasma, por estudios científicos o creenciapopular, solo el antecedente familiar de la enfermedad y el uso de cosméticos fueron factores de riesgo en mujeres de 18 años con melasma en la ciudadde Medellín. El hallazgo de que el consumo de bebidas colas actuó como un factor protector, amerita posteriores estudios

Melasma is a hiperpigmentation of unknown cause primarily of the face. Is common in women of the tropics. Pregancy, UV light and oral contraceptiveshave been implicated, but the level of association is unknown. This study pretends to find the degree association between the ethilogical factors ofmelasma with the development of the disease in women older then 18 years, in Medellín.Methods: A case and control study was carried out, including 101 adulta women; 67 of them had a diagnosis of melasma, and the other 34 werehealthy controls. The size of the sample was calculated based on solar exposure as main risk factor with a theoretical frequency of 99% for cases and88% for controls, by clinical experience with a confiability of 95%. The case control ratio was 2 to 1. The instrument for collecting of information wasa questionaire designed for the study. The data was obtained by telefom. A bivariated analysis was performed done, calculating the differences of proportionsand the OR value, with confiability intervals and p value, with a confiability of 95%.Results: Median age was 38.3 years with a range between 21 and 57.Cases: Duration of disorder varied from 1 to 20 years, 32 had an homogeneous pattern (47.7%) 35 reticular (52.2%); centrofacial distribution wasthe most common (52.2%) followed by malar (35.8%) and in third place, mandibular (11.9%). Eigthy for cent 80.5% were more visible with Wood’slight, 16.4% didn’t show any difference and 3% were less visible.Risk factors: Risk factors, didn’t show significant association with melasma: skin phototype, number of pregnancies, actual use of contraceptives orother non hormonal drugs, hormonal therapy different from femenine hormones, history of thyroid disease and history of sola rexposure. A biggerdisparity reason for suffering the disease was confirmed for those with first degree relatives with melasma, with an OR 2.58 (1.08-6.73 intervals) and p= 0.029 and use of cosmetic makeup (powder or foundation) OR 3.69 (1.36-10.12) p = 0.0036. The intake of cola drinks was a protective factor OR0.021 (0.06-0.07) and p = 0.0026.Conclusions: We can conclude that of the many implicated factors for the development of melasma, by scientific studies of popular belief, only thefamily history of disease and the use of makeup were risks in women older then 18 years in the city of Medellin. The fact that colas intake acted as aprotective factor requires further studies

Response to aspirin and clopidogrel in patients scheduled to undergo cardiovascular surgery.

BACKGROUND: Recent data indicate that among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention low platelet response to aspirin is associated with clopidogrel low response. It is unclear whether these findings extend to other patient populations. We, therefore, aimed to evaluate the relation between response to aspirin and clopidogrel among patients scheduled to undergo cardiac or vascular surgery. METHODS: Patients who were scheduled for cardiac or vascular surgery and had taken aspirin 81-325 mg daily for at least a week and clopidogrel 75 mg daily for at least 3 days underwent blood testing for platelet function. One hundred patients were included in the current analysis. Platelet function was evaluated by the modified TEG platelet mapping assay with addition of ADP or arachidonic acid (AA), and by the PFA-100 assay with collagen-epinephrine (CEPI) or collagen-ADP (CADP) cartridges. Low response to aspirin or clopidogrel was defined as inhibition < or =20% for TEG-AA or TEG-ADP, respectively. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (13%) were low responders to aspirin and 34 (34%) were low responders to clopidogrel. Eight patients were low responders to both drugs. There were no differences in clinical characteristics between drug low responders versus sensitive patients. Aspirin low responders had lower TEG-ADP inhibition (19.5 +/- 6 vs. 35.8 +/- 3%, P = 0.03) and tended to have lower PFA-CADP time (84.7 +/- 7 vs. 105.6 +/- 5 s, P = 0.1) than aspirin sensitive patients. Clopidogrel low responders had lower TEG-AA inhibition (58 +/- 6 vs. 75.1 +/- 4%, P = 0.01) and PFA-CEPI time (168 +/- 13 vs. 200.4 +/- 10 s, P = 0.07) than clopidogrel sensitive patients. CONCLUSIONS: In patients scheduled to undergo cardiovascular surgery low response to aspirin is associated with low response to clopidogrel.

In vivo plaque characterization using intravascular ultrasound-virtual histology in a porcine model of complex coronary lesions.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of detection of different tissue types of intravascular ultrasound-virtual histology (IVUS-VH) in a porcine model of complex coronary lesions. METHODS AND RESULTS: Coronary lesions were induced by injecting liposomes containing human oxidized low-density lipoprotein into the adventitia of the arteries. IVUS-VH imaging was performed in vivo at 8.2+/-1.6 weeks after injection. A total of 60 vascular lesions were analyzed and compared with their correspondent IVUS-VH images. Correlation analysis was performed using linear regression models. Compared with histology, IVUS-VH correctly identified the presence of fibrous, fibro-fatty, and necrotic tissue in 58.33%, 38.33%, and 38.33% of lesions, respectively. The sensitivity of IVUS-VH for the detection of fibrous, fibro-fatty, and necrotic core tissue was 76.1%, 46%, and 41.1% respectively. A linear regression analysis performed for each individual plaque component did not show strong correlation that would allow significant prediction of individual values. CONCLUSIONS: In a porcine model of complex coronary lesions, IVUS-VH was not accurate in detecting the relative amount of specific plaque components within each individual corresponding histological specimen.