Consensus on improving the comprehensive care of patients with acute heart failure.

The latest acute heart failure (AHF) consensus document from the Spanish Society of Cardiology (SEC, for its initials in Spanish), Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI), and Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine (SEMES) was published in 2015, which made an update covering the main novelties regarding AHF from the last few years necessary. These include publication of updated European guidelines on HF in 2016, new studies on the pharmacological treatment of patients during hospitalization, and other recent developments regarding AHF such as early treatment, intermittent treatment, advanced HF, and refractory congestion. This consensus document was drafted with the aim of updating all aspects related to AHF and to create a document that comprehensively describes the diagnosis, treatment, and management of this disease.

Consensus on improving the comprehensive care of patients with acute heart failure. / Consenso para la mejora de la atención integral de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardíaca aguda.

The latest acute heart failure consensus document from the Spanish Society of Cardiology, Spanish Society of Internal Medicine, and Spanish Society of Emergency Medicine was published in 2015, which made an update covering the main novelties regarding acute heart failure from the last few years necessary. These include publication of updated European guidelines on heart failure in 2016, new studies on the pharmacological treatment of patients during hospitalization, and other recent developments regarding acute heart failure such as early treatment, intermittent treatment, advanced heart failure, and refractory congestion. This consensus document was drafted with the aim of updating all aspects related to acute heart failure and to create a document that comprehensively describes the diagnosis, treatment, and management of this disease.

Clinical indications, image acquisition and data interpretation for white blood cells and anti-granulocyte monoclonal antibody scintigraphy: an EANM procedural guideline.

INTRODUCTION: Radiolabelled autologous white blood cells (WBC) scintigraphy is being standardized all over the world to ensure high quality, specificity and reproducibility. Similarly, in many European countries radiolabelled anti-granulocyte antibodies (anti-G-mAb) are used instead of WBC with high diagnostic accuracy. The EANM Inflammation & Infection Committee is deeply involved in this process of standardization as a primary goal of the group. AIM: The main aim of this guideline is to support and promote good clinical practice despite the complex environment of a national health care system with its ethical, economic and legal aspects that must also be taken into consideration. METHOD: After the standardization of the WBC labelling procedure (already published), a group of experts from the EANM Infection & Inflammation Committee developed and validated these guidelines based on published evidences. RESULTS: Here we describe image acquisition protocols, image display procedures and image analyses as well as image interpretation criteria for the use of radiolabelled WBC and monoclonal antigranulocyte antibodies. Clinical application for WBC and anti-G-mAb scintigraphy is also described. CONCLUSIONS: These guidelines should be applied by all nuclear medicine centers in favor of a highly reproducible standardized practice.

Hiponatremia e insuficiencia cardiaca congestiva refractaria a tratamiento diurético. Utilidad del tolvaptán / Hyponatraemia and congestive heart failure refractory to diuretic treatment. Utility of tolvaptan

La insuficiencia cardiaca (IC) constituye actualmente uno de los problemas sociosanitarios más importantes en nuestro país, con una prevalencia en continuo crecimiento. Los avances en el conocimiento de las distintas respuestas biológicas que favorecen el remodelado cardiaco y de la congestión venopulmonar constituyen la base del tratamiento actual. En este artículo elaborado por miembros de los grupos de IC de las sociedades españolas de Cardiología y Medicina Interna se comentan las estrategias terapéuticas actuales para el paciente congestivo refractario a tratamiento diurético, introduciendo nuestra experiencia clínica con el uso de tolvaptán como tratamiento adicional en la congestión asociada a hiponatremia. Para ello se propone un algoritmo sobre el uso de tolvaptán en pacientes con IC congestiva, natremia inferior a 130mEq/l y mala respuesta al tratamiento diurético convencional (AU)

Heart failure (HF) is currently one of the most significant healthcare problems in Spain and has a continuously increasing prevalence. Advances in our understanding of the various biological responses that promote cardiac remodelling and pulmonary venous congestion constitute the basis of current treatment. This article, prepared by members of the HF groups of the Spanish Society of Cardiology and the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine, discusses the current therapeutic strategies for patients with congestion refractory to diuretic treatment. The article includes our clinical experience with the use of tolvaptan as an additional treatment for congestion associated with hyponatraemia. To this end, we propose an algorithm for the use of tolvaptan in patients with congestive HF, natraemia <130mEq/l and poor response to conventional diuretic treatment (AU)

Hyponatraemia and congestive heart failure refractory to diuretic treatment. Utility of tolvaptan. / Hiponatremia e insuficiencia cardiaca congestiva refractaria a tratamiento diurético. Utilidad del tolvaptán.

Heart failure (HF) is currently one of the most significant healthcare problems in Spain and has a continuously increasing prevalence. Advances in our understanding of the various biological responses that promote cardiac remodelling and pulmonary venous congestion constitute the basis of current treatment. This article, prepared by members of the HF groups of the Spanish Society of Cardiology and the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine, discusses the current therapeutic strategies for patients with congestion refractory to diuretic treatment. The article includes our clinical experience with the use of tolvaptan as an additional treatment for congestion associated with hyponatraemia. To this end, we propose an algorithm for the use of tolvaptan in patients with congestive HF, natraemia <130mEq/l and poor response to conventional diuretic treatment.

Scintigraphic depiction of non-ossifying fibromas and the role of SPECT/CT / Representación gammagráfica de fibromas no osificantes y el rol de SPECT/TAC

Non-ossifying fibromas (NOF) are a benign entity of the developing bone, relatively common in children and young adults. Their location is most frequently metaphyseal. They are usually asymptomatic (unless associated to a fracture) and have a self-limited behavior, with spontaneous regression through a sclerotic consolidation. Plain X-ray is the main imaging tool for its diagnosis. However, an unclear X-ray may lead to further imaging studies. We present the case of a 17-year-old male with back pain and lower limb dysmetria referred for a bone scintigraphy to complete the diagnostic and assess disease extension and the subsequent MRI evaluation

Los fibromas no osificantes (NOF) son entidades benignas del hueso en desarrollo, relativamente frecuentes en niños y adultos jóvenes. Su localización más habitual es la metáfisis de los huesos largos, suelen ser asintomáticos (excepto si se asocian a una fractura) y normalmente se autolimitan, regresando espontáneamente mediante una consolidación esclerosante. La radiografía simple es la principal herramienta para su diagnóstico. Sin embargo, una radiografía dudosa puede llevar a la realización de otras pruebas de imagen. Presentamos el caso de un chico de 17 años con dolor de espalda y dismetría de miembros inferiores, remitido para la realización de una gammagrafía ósea con la finalidad de completar el diagnóstico y evaluar la extensión de la afectación, y la posterior valoración mediante RM

Scintigraphic depiction of non-ossifying fibromas and the role of SPECT/CT.

Non-ossifying fibromas (NOF) are a benign entity of the developing bone, relatively common in children and young adults. Their location is most frequently metaphyseal. They are usually asymptomatic (unless associated to a fracture) and have a self-limited behavior, with spontaneous regression through a sclerotic consolidation. Plain X-ray is the main imaging tool for its diagnosis. However, an unclear X-ray may lead to further imaging studies. We present the case of a 17-year-old male with back pain and lower limb dysmetria referred for a bone scintigraphy to complete the diagnostic and assess disease extension and the subsequent MRI evaluation.

Common diagnostic flow charts for diagnosis and management of patients with an inflammatory bowel disease.

This paper presents the different views of the gastroenterologist, the radiologist and the nuclear medicine specialist in the management of inflammatory bowel disease. The role of clinical parameters and biochemical marker as well as the progressive use of the different imaging modalities: magnetic resonance, computerized tomography and nuclear medicine techniques is presented. The paper is an effort to combine the published European Crohn's and Colitis Organization, European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology and European Association of Nuclear Medicine consensus with the conclusions of the multidisciplinary meeting organized in 2012 Milano during the EANM Congress with the objective of find a common diagnostic flowchart.

Tratamiento del craneofaringioma quístico con 90Y-coloide. Presentación de 4 casos clínicos / Treatment of cystic craniopharyngioma with 90Y-Colloid. Four clinical cases

El craneofaringioma es un tumor intracraneal histológicamente benigno y frecuentemente quístico que puede presentar un comportamiento agresivo por compresión de estructuras vecinas. Su manejo terapéutico es complicado ya que si bien el tratamiento de elección suele ser la cirugía, esta no está exenta de una gran morbimortalidad y recidiva tumoral frecuente. En aquellos craneofaringiomas con un componente quístico importante la irradiación interna del tumor con isótopos radiactivos supone una alternativa a los tratamientos convencionales. Se presentan 4 casos de pacientes con craneofaringiomas quísticos tratados mediante administración intraquística con 90Y-coloide y su evolución después del tratamiento(AU)

Craniopharyngioma is a histologically benign and frequently cystic intracranial tumor. It may present aggressive behavior due to compression of nearby structures. Its therapeutic management is complicated because, although surgery is the usual treatment of choice, it is not exempt of high morbidity and mortality, and frequent tumor recurrence. In craniopharyngiomas with a significant cystic component, internal irradiation with radioactive isotopes is a therapeutic alternative to conventional treatments. We present the cases of four patients with cystic craniopharyngiomas who were treated with intracystic administration of 90Y-colloid, and their evolution after the therapy(AU)

Imaging techniques for assessment of inflammatory bowel disease: joint ECCO and ESGAR evidence-based consensus guidelines.

The management of patients with IBD requires evaluation with objective tools, both at the time of diagnosis and throughout the course of the disease, to determine the location, extension, activity and severity of inflammatory lesions, as well as, the potential existence of complications. Whereas endoscopy is a well-established and uniformly performed diagnostic examination, the implementation of radiologic techniques for assessment of IBD is still heterogeneous; variations in technical aspects and the degrees of experience and preferences exist across countries in Europe. ECCO and ESGAR scientific societies jointly elaborated a consensus to establish standards for imaging in IBD using magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, ultrasonography, and including also other radiologic procedures such as conventional radiology or nuclear medicine examinations for different clinical situations that include general principles, upper GI tract, colon and rectum, perineum, liver and biliary tract, emergency situation, and the postoperative setting. The statements and general recommendations of this consensus are based on the highest level of evidence available, but significant gaps remain in certain areas such as the comparison of diagnostic accuracy between different techniques, the value for therapeutic monitoring, and the prognostic implications of particular findings.

Treatment of cystic craniopharyngioma with 90Y-Colloid. Four clinical cases.

Craniopharyngioma is a histologically benign and frequently cystic intracranial tumor. It may present aggressive behavior due to compression from nearby structures. Its therapeutic management is complicated because although surgery is the usual treatment of choice, it is not exempt of high morbidity and mortality and frequent tumor recurrence. In craniopharyngiomas with a significant cystic component,internal irradiation with radioactive isotopes is a therapeutic alternative to conventional treatments. We present the cases of four patients with cystic craniopharyngiomas who were treated with intracystic administration of 90Y-colloid, and their evolution after the treatment.

Platelet-function testing in patients undergoing neurovascular procedures: caught between a rock and a hard place.

In the context of neurointerventional procedures, clopidogrel hyper-responsiveness has been associated with hemorrhage; on the other hand, clopidogrel resistance has been associated with thromboembolism. This might seem to make a compelling argument in favor of routine platelet testing. Our reading of the literature leads us to conclude that routine platelet testing in neurointerventional procedures is not, unfortunately, ready for prime time.

Utilidad de la PET-TC en la valoración de la respuesta precoz al tratamiento en el linfoma B difuso de celula grande. Resultados preliminares / Utility of the PET-CT in the evaluation of early response to treatment in the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Preliminary results

Objetivo. Valorar la utilidad de la PET-TC con FDG tras los primeros ciclos de quimioterapia en la predicción de la respuesta al tratamiento en pacientes con linfoma B difuso de célula grande. Metodologia. Se incluyeron 20 pacientes (edad media: 48), 16 en la estadificación inicial y 4 por recidiva. La PET-TC se realizó en tres tiempos: 1) Basal, 2) Tras el primer-tercer ciclo (valoración de respuesta precoz), y 3) Al finalizar el tratamiento (valoración de respuesta final). Los hallazgos de la valoración precoz fueron correlacionados con la valoración final y el seguimiento. La valoración de la respuesta se estableció según la disminución de la captación de las lesiones (SUVmax). En la valoración precoz el indicador de buena respuesta (IBR) fue la reducción del SUVmax > 50% o la desaparición. Al final del tratamiento se determinó la respuesta metabólica completa (RMC) en ausencia de focos. El seguimiento fue superior a los 19 meses, estableciendo progresión/recidiva o sin evidencia de enfermedad (SEE). Resultados. La valoración precoz fue IBR en 16/16 pacientes de estadificación inicial (100%) y en 2/4 de recidiva (50%). Al final del tratamiento, en el primer grupo 14/16 pacientes con IBR consiguieron RMC y 1/16 RMP; 14 continuaron SEE y uno recidivó. En el segundo grupo 2/2 pacientes con IBR consiguieron RMC; uno continuó SEE y otro recidivó. Conclusion. La PET-TC tras los primeros ciclos de quimioterapia es útil para monitorizar el tratamiento debido a su elevado valor predictivo negativo (87,5%), modificando la terapia precozmente en los no respondedores(AU)

Objective. To assess the role of FDG-PET/CT performed after the first cycles of chemotherapy in the prediction of response to treatment in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Methods. Twenty patients (mean age: 48 years) were included, 16 initial staging and 4 relapse. All patients underwent PET/CT at 3 times: 1) Baseline, 2) After 1-3 cycles of chemotherapy (early response assessment), and 3) End of treatment (evaluation of final response). Early PET/CT findings were correlated to the end-treatment PET/CT and follow-up. The evaluation of the response was established according to the decrease in uptake of the lesions (SUVmax). In the early assessment, a good response indicator (GRI) was obtained when the lesion disappeared or had more than 50% reduction in SUVmax. At the end of the treatment, a complete metabolic response (CMR) was determined in negative PET scans. Follow-up was superior to 19 months and final outcome was established as progression/relapse or no evidence of disease (NED). Results. At the early treatment evaluation, 16/16 patients of initial staging (100%) and 2/4 of relapse (50%) achieved GRI. At the end of treatment evaluation, 14/16 patients of initial staging with GRI achieved CMR and 1/16 PMR: 14 were alive with NED in the follow-up while 1 relapsed. In the second group, 2/2 patients with GRI achieved CMR (100%): 1 continued with NED in the follow-up and another relapsed. Conclusion. FDG-PET/CT after the first cycles of chemotherapy is useful to monitor treatment due to its high negative predictive value (87.5%), using it to modify treatment early in the non-responders(AU)

Dabigatran (Pradaxa).

Dabigatran (Pradaxa) is a member of the relatively new class of antithrombotic drugs known as direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs). It may supplant warfarin (Coumadin) in a number of applications as it may produce a more predictable, potent, and immediate anticoagulant effect, with fewer significant side effects and interactions, and requires less monitoring.

Utility of the PET-CT in the evaluation of early response to treatment in the diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Preliminary results.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of FDG-PET/CT performed after the first cycles of chemotherapy in the prediction of response to treatment in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. METHODS: Twenty patients (mean age: 48 years) were included, 16 initial staging and 4 relapse. All patients underwent PET/CT at 3 times: 1) Baseline, 2) After 1-3 cycles of chemotherapy (early response assessment), and 3) End of treatment (evaluation of final response). Early PET/CT findings were correlated to the end-treatment PET/CT and follow-up. The evaluation of the response was established according to the decrease in uptake of the lesions (SUVmax). In the early assessment, a good response indicator (GRI) was obtained when the lesion disappeared or had more than 50% reduction in SUVmax. At the end of the treatment, a complete metabolic response (CMR) was determined in negative PET scans. Follow-up was superior to 19 months and final outcome was established as progression/relapse or no evidence of disease (NED). RESULTS: At the early treatment evaluation, 16/16 patients of initial staging (100%) and 2/4 of relapse (50%) achieved GRI. At the end of treatment evaluation, 14/16 patients of initial staging with GRI achieved CMR and 1/16 PMR: 14 were alive with NED in the follow-up while 1 relapsed. In the second group, 2/2 patients with GRI achieved CMR (100%): 1 continued with NED in the follow-up and another relapsed. CONCLUSION: FDG-PET/CT after the first cycles of chemotherapy is useful to monitor treatment due to its high negative predictive value (87.5%), using it to modify treatment early in the non-responders.

Clopidogrel (plavix).

Clopidogrel is an inhibitor of platelet aggregation, indicated for the prevention of ischemic stroke and in-stent thrombosis. However, it has a number of drawbacks, including an increased risk of hemorrhage; a clinical effect that is slow in onset and irreversible; a genetically determined variability in its clinical potency; and interactions with other commonly administered drugs.

Medición de la absorción de los ácidos biliares en el diagnóstico inicial de la diarrea crónica / Measurement of 75Se-SeHCAT abdominal retention in the initial diagnosis of Bile Acid Absorption (BAM)

Objetivo. Evaluar la utilidad de la prueba del 75SeHCAT en el diagnóstico precoz del síndrome diarreico (SD). Se evaluaron prospectivamente 37 pacientes con SD de un mes de evolución. Método. Se midió la retención abdominal (RA) de 75SeHCAT 4 y 7 días post-administración de 0,01 mCi de 75SeHCAT antes del tratamiento y a los tres meses en los pacientes con estudio basal positivo. La prueba se consideró positiva si la RA era: < 25% el 4.° y < 10% el 7.° días. Los pacientes fueron visitados a los tres meses. Según la respuesta se distinguió: a) respuesta completa: normalización del ritmo deposicional; b) respuesta parcial, disminución de la frecuencia/consistencia, y c) no respuesta. Resultados. Grupo A: la RA fue normal en 21 pacientes. El diagnóstico fue: 6 divertículos colónicos, 8 síndrome de intestino irritable, 1 colitis linfocitaria, 1 síndrome post-gastroenteritis, 1 enfermedad celíaca, 1 estenosis de cardias y 4 continuan en estudio. Grupo B: la RA disminuyó en 16 pacientes; todos mostraron una RA baja a los 7 días y solo uno a los 4 días. Tras la administración de resina de colestiramina, 8 (50%) presentaron respuesta parcial y 8 (50%) respuesta completa. A los tres meses, la RA había aumentado en tres pacientes al 4.° día y en 9 al 7.° día. Conclusión. La medición de la RA de 75Se-SEHCAT permite el diagnóstico precoz de la malabsorción de sales biliares en el 43% de pacientes con SD. La medición a los 7 días parece más precisa que la de los 4 días(AU)

Aim. To evaluate the usefulness of the 75SeHCAT abdominal retention (AR) measurement in the early diagnosis of diarrhea syndrome (DS). Methods. Thirty-seven patients with diarrhea syndrome within the first month of evolution were prospectively evaluated. The 75Se-SeHCAT abdominal retention was measured 4 and 7 days post-administration of 0.01 mCi of 75SeHCAT. The test was performed prior to treatment and at 3 months when the baseline study was positive. The test was considered positive if the RA was <25% at 4th and <10% on the 7th day. The patients were visited at 3 months. Depending on the response, 3 groups were established: a) complete response: normalization of stool frequency, b) partial response, decrease of frequency or c) no response. Results. Group A: The AR of 75Se-SEHCAT was normal in 21 patients. Six were diagnosed of colonic diverticulosis, 8 of irritable bowel syndrome, 1 of lymphocytic colitis, 1 of post-gastroenteritis syndrome, 1 of celiac disease and 1 of stenosis of the cardia. Four are still under study. Group B: The AR of 75Se-SEHCAT decreased in 16 patients. All showed abnormal AR at day 7 and all but 1 at day 4. Following administration of cholestyramine resin, 8 (50%) presented partial response and 8 (50%) complete response. At 3 months, AR had increased at day 4 and 9 at day 7. Conclusion. The measurement of 75SEHCAT abdominal retention allows the early diagnosis of bile acid malabsorption in 43% of the patients with DS. Measurement at 7 days seems more accurate than that at 4 days(AU)

[Measurement of 75Se-SeHCAT abdominal retention in the initial diagnosis of Bile Acid Absorption (BAM)]. / Medición de la absorción de los ácidos biliares en el diagnóstico inicial de la diarrea crónica.

AIM: To evaluate the usefulness of the (75)SeHCAT abdominal retention (AR) measurement in the early diagnosis of diarrhea syndrome (DS). METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with diarrhea syndrome within the first month of evolution were prospectively evaluated. The (75)Se-SeHCAT abdominal retention was measured 4 and 7 days post-administration of 0.01 mCi of (75)SeHCAT. The test was performed prior to treatment and at 3 months when the baseline study was positive. The test was considered positive if the RA was <25% at 4(th) and <10% on the 7th day. The patients were visited at 3 months. Depending on the response, 3 groups were established: a) complete response: normalization of stool frequency, b) partial response, decrease of frequency or c) no response. RESULTS: Group A: The AR of (75)Se-SEHCAT was normal in 21 patients. Six were diagnosed of colonic diverticulosis, 8 of irritable bowel syndrome, 1 of lymphocytic colitis, 1 of post-gastroenteritis syndrome, 1 of celiac disease and 1 of stenosis of the cardia. Four are still under study. Group B: The AR of (75)Se-SEHCAT decreased in 16 patients. All showed abnormal AR at day 7 and all but 1 at day 4. Following administration of cholestyramine resin, 8 (50%) presented partial response and 8 (50%) complete response. At 3 months, AR had increased at day 4 and 9 at day 7. CONCLUSION: The measurement of (75)SEHCAT abdominal retention allows the early diagnosis of bile acid malabsorption in 43% of the patients with DS. Measurement at 7 days seems more accurate than that at 4 days.