Capacitively coupled electrical stimulation of rat chondroepiphysis explants: A histomorphometric analysis.

The growth plate is a cartilaginous layer present from the gestation period until the end of puberty where it ossifies joining diaphysis and epiphysis. During this period several endocrine, autocrine, and paracrine processes within the growth plate are carried out by chondrocytes; therefore, a disruption in cellular functions may lead to pathologies affecting bone development. It is known that electric fields impact the growth plate; however, parameters such as stimulation time and electric field intensity are not well documented. Accordingly, this study presents a histomorphometrical framework to assess the effect of electric fields on chondroepiphysis explants. Bones were stimulated with 3.5 and 7 mV/cm, and for each electric field two exposure times were tested for 30 days (30 min and 1 h). Results evidenced that electric fields increased the hypertrophic zones compared with controls. In addition, a stimulation of 3.5 mV/cm applied for 1 h preserved the columnar cell density and its orientation. Moreover, a pre-hypertrophy differentiation in the center of the chondroepiphysis was observed when explants were stimulated during 1 h with both electric fields. These findings allow the understanding of the effect of electrical stimulation over growth plate organization and how the stimulation modifies chondrocytes morphophysiology.

Reemplazo ureteral con colgajo de Boari laparoscópico: experiencia multi-institucional en 30 casos / Laparoscopic ureteral replacement by Boari flap: Multi-institutional experience in 30 cases

Introducción: El colgajo vesical tipo Boari es una excelente técnica para el reemplazo de lesiones del uréter distal. Existen pocas comunicaciones con el uso de la vía laparoscópica, sobre todo con resultados a largo plazo. Nuestro objetivo es presentar los resultados de un estudio multi-institucional en 30 casos. Material y método: Se analizan 30 pacientes tratados entre diciembre de 2001 y enero de 2009, en quienes se realizó un colgajo de Boari laparoscópico intracorpóreo en 3 centros latinoamericanos. En todos los casos se empleó la misma técnica quirúrgica. La base de datos fue registrada de forma prospectiva y analizada retrospectivamente. Resultados: La edad media fue de 43,2 años (rango de 9 a 71 años). La mayoría fueron mujeres (22 de 30) con un ligero predominio del lado izquierdo (17 de 30). Las causa más frecuente de lesión ureteral fue la histerectomía en 14 pacientes (46,6%) y la ureterolitotomía endoscópica en 9 pacientes (30%). La longitud ureteral media resecada fue de 7 cm (5 a 20 cm). El tiempo medio operatorio fue de 161,16 min (90 a 280 min). El sangrado intraoperatorio estimado promedio fue de 123 ml (0 a 500 ml) y la estancia hospitalaria de 4,86 días (2 a 10 días). No hubo complicaciones intraoperatorias ni conversión a cirugía abierta. Ocurrieron complicaciones postoperatorias en 5 pacientes (16,6%), Clavien 1 en 2 pacientes (6,6%) y Clavien 3 en 3 pacientes (10%). La tasa de éxito de la cirugía fue del 96,6% (29 pacientes), con un tiempo medio de seguimiento de 32 meses (5 a 60 meses). Conclusiones: Nuestros resultados con la técnica de colgajo de Boari laparoscópico confirman los buenos resultados de esta técnica a corto y largo plazo (AU)

Introduction: The Boari flap is an excellent technique for replacement of distal ureteral injuries. There are few reports with the use of laparoscopic surgery, especially with long term results. Our goal is to present the results of a multi-institutional study of 30 cases. Materials and methods: We analyzed 30 patients treated between December 2001 and January 2009 who underwent a laparoscopic intracorporeal Boari flap, in three Latin American centers. In all cases the same surgical technique was employed. The database was recorded prospectively and analyzed retrospectively. Results: The mean age was 43.2 years (range 9–71 years). Most were women (22 of 30) with a slight predominance of left-side lesions (17 of 30). The most common cause of ureteral injury was hysterectomy in 14 patients (46.6%) and endoscopic ureterolithotomy in 9 patients (30%). The mean length of ureteral resection was 7 cm (5–20 cm). The average operative time was 161.16 min (90–280 min). The average estimated blood loss was 123 mL (0–500 mL), and hospital stay was 4.86 days (2–10 days). There were no intraoperative complications or conversion to open surgery. Postoperative complications occurred in 5 patients (16.6%), Clavien 1 in 2 patients (6.6%) and Clavien 3 in three patients (10%). The success rate was 96.6% (29 patients) with a mean follow up of 32 months (5–60 months). Conclusions: Laparoscopic Boari flap in our hands had good short and long term results (AU)

Laparoscopic ureteral replacement by Boari flap: multi-institutional experience in 30 cases.

INTRODUCTION: The Boari flap is an excellent technique for replacement of distal ureteral injuries. There are few reports with the use of laparoscopic surgery, especially with long term results. Our goal is to present the results of a multi-institutional study of 30 cases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed 30 patients treated between December 2001 and January 2009 who underwent a laparoscopic intracorporeal Boari flap, in three Latin American centers. In all cases the same surgical technique was employed. The database was recorded prospectively and analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean age was 43.2 years (range 9 to 71 years). Most were women (22 of 30) with a slight predominance of left-side lesions (17 of 30). The most common cause of ureteral injury was hysterectomy in 14 patients (46.6%) and endoscopic ureterolithotomy in 9 patients (30%). The mean length of ureteral resection was 7 cm. (5 to 20 cm). The average operative time was 161.16 min (90 to 280 min). The average estimated blood loss was 123 mL. (0 to 500 mL), and hospital stay was 4.86 days (2 to 10 days). There were no intraoperative complications or conversion to open surgery. Postoperative complications occurred in 5 patients (16.6%), Clavien 1 in 2 patients (6.6%) and Clavien 3 in three patients (10%). The success rate was 96.6% (29 patients) with a mean follow up of 32 months (5 to 60 months). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic Boari flap in our hands had good short and long term results.

Estudio de eventos adversos en sanidad privada. Proyecto Confianza de seguridad del paciente / Study of adverse events in private healthcare. Confidence project for patient safety

Objetivos. Investigar e identificar áreas y problemas prioritarios de la seguridad del paciente y analizar las características de los pacientes y de la asistencia que se asocian a la aparición de eventos adversos (EA). Método. Estudio de cohortes retrospectivo en el que para identificar los EA se revisó la historia clínica (HC) de los pacientes hospitalizados en ocho centros comprometidos con el proyecto. Se recogió información de todos los pacientes atendidos entre el 15 y el 30 de noviembre de 2009. Resultados. De los 927 pacientes, en 40 pacientes se detectó alguna lesión, y en 23 de ellos la asistencia sanitaria estaba relacionada. Así, el porcentaje de pacientes con algún EA relacionado con la asistencia sanitaria fue del 2,48% (intervalo de confianza del 95%, 1,43%-3,54%). La edad, la comorbilidad y los dispositivos invasivos explican la aparición de EA. Se consideró leves al 33,3% (8 EA), moderados al 33,3% (8) y graves al 33,3% (8). Se consideró evitable al 50% de los EA. Conclusiones. La frecuencia hallada de EA es menor, posiblemente debido al diseño del estudio y la idiosincrasia de los pacientes atendidos: edad, comorbilidad y uso de dispositivos invasivos. Los EA encontrados presentan impacto y evitabilidad parecidos a los detectados en el sector público(AU)

Objectives. To investigate and identify priority areas and issues of patient safety and analyse which patient and health care characteristics are related to Adverse Events (AE). Methods. Retrospective cohort study to identify AE reviewing medical records of in-patients. Information was obtained from all patients attended between 15 and 30 November 2009 in eight facilities committed to the project. Results. Of the 927 patients, 40 patients had any injury, of which 23 were related to healthcare. Thus, the percentage of patients with any AE associated with health care was 2.48% (95%CI, 1.43%-3.54%). Age, comorbidity and use of invasive devices explained the occurrence of an AE. Of these, 33.3% (8 AE) were considered slight, 33.3% (8) moderate and 33.3% (8) severe. Half (50%) of AE were considered preventable. Conclusions. The frequency of AE found was low, possibly due to study design and the idiosyncrasy of the patients: age, comorbidity and use of invasive devices. The AE found have a similar impact and preventability as those identified in public sector(AU)

[Study of adverse events in private healthcare. Confidence project for patient safety]. / Estudio de eventos adversos en sanidad privada. Proyecto Confianza de seguridad del paciente.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate and identify priority areas and issues of patient safety and analyse which patient and health care characteristics are related to Adverse Events (AE). METHODS: Retrospective cohort study to identify AE reviewing medical records of in-patients. Information was obtained from all patients attended between 15 and 30 November 2009 in eight facilities committed to the project. RESULTS: Of the 927 patients, 40 patients had any injury, of which 23 were related to healthcare. Thus, the percentage of patients with any AE associated with health care was 2.48% (95%CI, 1.43%-3.54%). Age, comorbidity and use of invasive devices explained the occurrence of an AE. Of these, 33.3% (8 AE) were considered slight, 33.3% (8) moderate and 33.3% (8) severe. Half (50%) of AE were considered preventable. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of AE found was low, possibly due to study design and the idiosyncrasy of the patients: age, comorbidity and use of invasive devices. The AE found have a similar impact and preventability as those identified in public sector.

Detection of myocardial perfusion defects by contrast echocardiography in the setting of acute myocardial ischemia with residual antegrade flow.

Although myocardial contrast echocardiography accurately demarcates area at risk during total coronary occlusion, the ability of MCE to delineate area at risk in the presence of residual antegrade flow is unknown. We hypothesized that perfusion defects in myocardial segments supplied by severe coronary stenoses with residual antegrade flow could be detected by MCE using intravenous FS069. We studied 13 open-chest dogs using an intravenous injection of FS069 during intermittent harmonic imaging. Images were collected at baseline, during acute ischemia with residual antegrade flow, physiologic hyperemia (release of stenosis), and total coronary occlusion. Regional myocardial blood flow was assessed using colored microspheres. MCE risk area during acute ischemia with residual antegrade flow and total occlusion was planimetered and compared with pathologic risk area (area unstained by monastral blue). Background-subtracted peak videointensity in the risk area was assessed for all flow states. Regional myocardial blood flow confirmed expected flow states, being significantly greater during physiologic hyperemia (4.16 +/- 1.22 ml/min/g) than at baseline (0.71 +/- 0.19 ml/min/g) and significantly diminished during coronary stenosis with residual antegrade flow (0.20 +/- 0.16 ml/min/g) and total occlusion (0.09 +/- 0.06 ml/min/g; p < 0.0001). Myocardial risk area by MCE during coronary stenosis with residual antegrade flow correlated well with pathologic risk area determined by monastral blue staining (r = 0.86). Peak videointensity during coronary stenosis (111 +/- 27) was significantly less than at baseline (157 +/- 50) but greater than during total occlusion (81 +/- 34; p < 0.0001). In conclusion, intravenous FS069 in conjunction with intermittent harmonic imaging delineates area at risk in ischemic myocardium supplied by a coronary stenoses with residual antegrade flow. The presence of a perfusion defect on MCE does not necessarily imply that the coronary artery is totally occluded.

Safety and efficacy of QW7437, a new fluorocarbon-based echocardiographic contrast agent.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of QW7437, a new fluorocarbon-based transpulmonary myocardial echocardiographic contrast agent. QW7437 is an anionically charged 2% dodecafluoropentane emulsion molecule, similar to EchoGen, a contrast agent previously shown to be efficacious in providing myocardial opacification by means of venous injection. This new agent has theoretical potential to provide greater safety and efficacy as a result of (1) reduced adherence to the negatively charged vascular endothelium and (2) reduced microbubble coalescence. Myocardial contrast echocardiography was performed in 10 dogs to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this agent. QW7437 (0.05 ml/kg) was injected as an intravenous bolus during intermittent harmonic epicardial imaging. Hemodynamic variables including heart rate, blood pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, cardiac output, and arterial blood gases were determined at baseline and serially after contrast administration. Left ventricular fractional area shortening the regional myocardial blood flow at rest and during hyperemia (adenosine 140 micrograms/kg/min) were measured before and after contrast echocardiography. QW7437 provided dense myocardial opacification which persisted for more than 2 minutes in all subjects. This prolonged contrast effect did not result in significant changes in any hemodynamic variables, left ventricular function, or myocardial blood flow. Future studies should address the potential of this agent for human use.