Factors Associated With Mortality During the First Year Post Infarction: Survival Analysis of Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction in Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular diseases account for over 80% of global deaths. Risk factors and social determinants influence mortality in patients post acute myocardial infarction (AMI). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate factors associated with post-AMI mortality during the one-year follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study is a prospective cohort study of adults aged 18 years and older with type 1 AMI conducted between October 2021 and January 2024. Intrahospital and outpatient information was collected. Statistical analyses included the Kaplan-Meier survival curve and Cox regression analysis. Proportional hazards and model predictive capacity were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 1873 patients were included, with a 9.4% mortality rate in the first year. At one year, the estimated survival probability was 88.61% (95% CI: 86.82-90.18). Cox analysis identified several factors associated with mortality, highlighting age (HR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.02-1.06, p = 0.001), diabetes (HR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.09-2.87, p = 0.020), renal insufficiency (HR = 2.25, 95% CI: 1.32-3.84, p = 0.003), and type of intervention. The model evaluation showed strong predictive capacity. CONCLUSIONS: It is essential to emphasize the importance of comprehensive management in AMI patients with risk factors such as diabetes and chronic kidney disease, as they are significant predictors of mortality during the first year post infarction.

Viability and characterization trial of a novel method as an alternative to formaldehyde and Walter-Thiel cadaveric preservation for medical education and surgical simulation.

INTRODUCTION: Despite its toxic and carcinogenic nature, formaldehyde is a widely used reactant for specimen preservation. With the need of specimens for both anatomical and surgical training, alternative preservation solutions (PS) have been proposed, however, their use is limited due to high costs and complexity. Hence, a new formaldehyde-free solution (FFS) is evaluated as a potential alternative for anatomical and surgical training. METHODS: Qualitative and Quantitative data were acquired. Specimens preserved using three different methods were selected. Flexibility was measured by joints goniometry and pneumoperitoneum pressures were evaluated followed by an exploratory laparoscopy. Undergraduate student's perceptions on cadavers preserved with different PS were obtained using surveys and focus groups. RESULTS: The main reason why cadaveric specimens were considered as useful tools was the perceived interaction with real tissues and the 'practical' concept of getting in touch with what students would be facing in the future as physicians, what we call "hands on" activities. FFS treated specimens showed better joint-movement ranges in comparison to other methods and pneumoperitoneum was acquired after 5mmHg CO2 pressure. Students appreciated working with corpses regardless the technique used, however FFS specimens were defined as less uncomfortable, while presenting no sensory discomfort. CONCLUSIONS: Even though alternative PS are effective, high costs and complexity restrict their usage. Cadavers preserved with FFS had similar range of movements compared with Thiel. Students preferred to work with FFS rather than FF due to flexibility, color, and no sensorial hassles. Thus, we propose FFS as viable alternative to traditional PS.

Viability and characterization trial of a novel method as an alternative to formaldehyde and Walter-Thiel cadaveric preservation for medical education and surgical simulation.

INTRODUCTION: Despite its toxic and carcinogenic nature, formaldehyde is a widely used reactant for specimen preservation. With the need of specimens for both anatomical and surgical training, alternative preservation solutions (PS) have been proposed, however, their use is limited due to high costs and complexity. Hence, a new formaldehyde-free solution (FFS) is evaluated as a potential alternative for anatomical and surgical training. METHODS: Qualitative and Quantitative data were acquired. Specimens preserved using three different methods were selected. Flexibility was measured by joints goniometry and pneumoperitoneum pressures were evaluated followed by an exploratory laparoscopy. Undergraduate student's perceptions on cadavers preserved with different PS were obtained using surveys and focus groups. RESULTS: The main reason why cadaveric specimens were considered as useful tools was the perceived interaction with real tissues and the 'practical' concept of getting in touch with what students would be facing in the future as physicians, what we call "hands on" activities. FFS treated specimens showed better joint-movement ranges in comparison to other methods and pneumoperitoneum was acquired after 5mmHg CO2 pressure. Students appreciated working with corpses regardless the technique used, however FFS specimens were defined as less uncomfortable, while presenting no sensory discomfort. CONCLUSIONS: Even though alternative PS are effective, high costs and complexity restrict their usage. Cadavers preserved with FFS had similar range of movements compared with Thiel. Students preferred to work with FFS rather than FF due to flexibility, color, and no sensorial hassles. Thus, we propose FFS as viable alternative to traditional PS.

Efficacy and Safety of Text Messages Targeting Adherence to Cardiovascular Medications in Secondary Prevention: TXT2HEART Colombia Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide, with a prevalence of approximately 100 million patients. There is evidence that antiplatelet agents and antihypertensive medications could reduce the risk of new vascular events in this population; however, treatment adherence is very low. An SMS text messaging intervention was recently developed based on behavior change techniques to increase adherence to pharmacological treatment among patients with a history of ASCVD. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an SMS text messaging intervention to improve adherence to cardiovascular medications in patients with ASCVD. METHODS: A randomized controlled clinical trial for patients with a prior diagnosis of cardiovascular events, such as acute myocardial infarction, unstable angina, cerebrovascular disease, or peripheral artery disease, in one center in Colombia was conducted. Patients randomized to the intervention arm were assigned to receive SMS text messages daily for the first 4 weeks, 5 SMS text messages on week 5, 3 SMS text messages each in weeks 6 and 7, and 1 SMS text message weekly from week 8 until week 52. In contrast, patients in the control arm received a monthly SMS text message reminding them of the next study appointment and the importance of the study, requesting information about changes in their phone number, and thanking them for participating in the study. The primary endpoint was the change in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, whereas the secondary endpoints were the changes in thromboxane B2 levels, heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, medication adherence, cardiac and noncardiac mortality, and hospitalization. Linear regression analyses and bivariate tests were performed. RESULTS: Of the 930 randomized patients, 805 (86.5%) completed follow-up and were analyzed for the primary endpoint. There was no evidence that the intervention changed the primary outcome (LDL-C levels; P=.41) or any of the secondary outcomes evaluated (all P>.05). There was also no evidence that the intervention was associated with adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, there was no evidence that a behavior modification intervention delivered by SMS text messaging improved LDL-C levels, blood pressure levels, or adherence at 12 months. More research is needed to evaluate whether different SMS text messaging strategies, including personalized messages and different timings, are effective; future studies should include mixed methods to better understand why, for whom, and in which context (eg, health system or social environment) SMS text messaging interventions work (or not) to improve adherence in patients with ASCVD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03098186; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03098186. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2018-028017.

An asbestos contaminated town in the vicinity of an asbestos-cement facility: The case study of Sibaté, Colombia.

INTRODUCTION: The asbestos industry began operations in Colombia in 1942, with an asbestos-cement facility located in the municipality of Sibaté. In recent years residents from Sibaté have been complaining about what they consider is an unusually large number of people diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases in the town. A study to analyze the situation of Sibaté started in 2015, to verify if the number of asbestos related diseases being diagnosed were higher than expected, and to identify potential asbestos exposure sources in the town. METHODS: A health and socioeconomic survey was implemented door-to-door to identify potential asbestos-related diseases. Several self-reported mesothelioma cases were identified, and for confirmation purposes, copies of the medical record with the histopathology report were obtained. A panel of six physicians analyzed the medical records. Information of validated cases was used to estimate the male and female age-adjusted incidence rate for Sibaté. Based on reports of the existence of potential asbestos-contaminated landfills, topographic maps, a digital elevation model, and current satellite images were crossed using a geographic information system to identify potential landfilled areas, and soils samples were collected in some of these areas. RESULTS: A total of 355 surveys were completed, and 29 self-reported mesothelioma cases were identified. Twenty-five of these cases have been persons who had lived at some moment of their lives in Sibaté. It was possible to obtain copies of the medical diagnosis for 17 cases. Of these, the panel of physicians classified 15 cases as certain pleural mesothelioma, one as probable, and one as not mesothelioma. Based on this information, the estimated age-adjusted incidence rate of mesothelioma in Sibaté was 3.1 × 105 persons-year for males and 1.6 × 105 persons-year for females. These rates are high in comparison to those reported in other cities, regions, and countries of the world. Using geographic information systems, landfilled zones in the urban area of Sibaté were identified, on top of which a school and different sports facilities were built. The analysis of four soil samples collected in landfilled zones, confirmed the existence of an underground layer of friable and non-friable asbestos. CONCLUSION: The collected evidence suggests the presence of a malignant pleural mesothelioma cluster in Sibaté.

Mesotelioma de túnica vaginal en paciente con hidrocele rápidamente progresivo / Mesothelioma of the Tunica Vaginalis in a Patient with Rapidly Progressive Hydrocele

El mesotelioma es una entidad poco común y agresiva que compromete el mesotelio, involucrando así los diferentes órganos cubiertos por membranas serosas. El mesotelioma de túnica vaginal es una neoplasia muy rara, con un cuadro clínico poco específico y de difícil diagnóstico con las técnicas imagenológicas actuales. Presentamos el caso de un paciente con hidrocele rápidamente progresivo que fue llevado a hidrocelectomía. Se realizó un diagnóstico histopatológico de mesotelioma epitelial maligno de túnica vaginal que requirió orquidectomía radical, hemiescrotomectomía y linfadenectomía retroperitoneal. A un año de seguimiento, el paciente no tiene evidencia de la enfermedad.

Mesothelioma is an uncommon and aggressive entity that compromises the mesothelium, thus involving the different organs covered by serous membranes. The mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis is a very rare neoplasm, with a non-specific clinical picture and difficult diagnosis with current imaging techniques. We report the case of a patient with rapidly progressive hydrocele who was taken to hydrocelectomy. A histopathological diagnosis of epithelial mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis was made, which required radical orchiectomy, hemiscrotectomy and retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. At one year of follow-up, the patient has no evidence of the disease.

Tuberculosis intestinal: reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura / Intestinal tuberculosis: case report and review of the literature

La tuberculosis sigue siendo endémica en nuestro medio, y es una causa importante de morbimortalidad en Colombia y en la mayoría de países en vías de desarrollo. El tracto gastrointestinal es el sexto lugar extrapulmonar más comprometido. Las manifestaciones clínicas de esta patología no son específicas y pueden simular diversas enfermedades, lo que hace que el diagnóstico preciso no sea fácil. En este artículo presentamos 2 casos de tuberculosis intestinal que fueron diagnosticados y tratados por nuestro servicio, se describen los principales hallazgos clínicos y paraclínicos de estos y se presenta una revisión de la literatura.

Tuberculosis is still an endemic disease and remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in Colombia and in too many developing countries. The gastrointestinal tract is the sixth commonest extrapulmonary site to be affected. Manifestations are non-specific and mimic many conditions, what makes really hard to get an accurate diagnosis. We, herein, report two cases of intestinal tuberculosis diagnosed and treated in our service, the main clinical and laboratory findings are shown. We also present a review of the literature regarding this interesting disease.