[Contemporary practice of the coronary angioplasty in Chile. Final report of the Chilean National Coronary Angioplasty Registry (RENAC) 2001-2002]. / Práctica contemporánea de la angioplastia coronaria en Chile. Informe final del Registro Nacional de Angioplastia Coronaria (RENAC) 2001-2002.

BACKGROUND: Coronary angioplasty was introduced in Chile in 1982, but only after the introduction of stents it became commonplace. However the results of this procedure at the national level remain largely unknown. AIM: To assess the results and characteristics of coronary angioplasty and develop a national registry in Chile (RENAC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: All centers performing angioplasty were invited to contribute prospectively with the clinical, angiographic, procedural characteristics and results of all consecutive coronary angioplasty procedures attempted between June 2001 and October 2002. RESULTS: In 10 centers, 1768 lesions were treated in 1484 procedures (22.98% in women). Mean age was 60.8 +/- 11.3 years old. Diabetes was found in 21.8%, hypertension in 60.2%, dyslipidemia in 52.0%, active smoking in 40.0%, renal failure in 6.2%. Myocardial infarction was recent in 28.4% and acute in 19.7%. Forty eight percent of patients had unstable angina and 15.5% had stable angina. Fifty three percent of patients had single vessel disease and 71%, normal left ventricular eyection fraction. One vessel was treated in 90.6% of patients and 81.7% of lesions were treated with stents, 17.9% only with baloon and in 0.4% with atherectomy. Angiographic success was obtained in 95.2%. Clinical success was obtained in 92.2%, and 95.1% In patients without acute myocardial infarction. Overall inhospital death was 2.2%. In patients without myocardial infarction, the figure was 1.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Coronary angioplasty in Chile is performed mostly for the treatment of acute coronary syndromes. Stents are the most frequently used devices. The high success, low mortality and complications observed are comparable to North American registries.

[Mesenteric angina: infrequent cause of chronic pain in hemodialysis patient]. / Angina mesentérica: causa infrecuente de dolor crónico en paciente en hemodiálisis.

We report a 73 years old male undergoing chronic hemodialysis with a history of seven years of abdominal pain and weight loss. A mesenteric angiography disclosed a critical stenosis of the celiac artery and a partial stenosis of the superior mesenteric artery. Other causes of abdominal pain were excluded. The patient was subjected to a successful angioplasty with stent placement that resulted in a complete relief of the pain.

[Flash pulmonary edema: when the kidney causes decompensation of the heart]. / Edema pulmonar relámpago (flash pulmonary edema): cuando el riñón descompensa al corazón.

Flash pulmonary edema is a paroxismal pulmonary edema associated to a hypertensive crisis, that subsides in hours with the usual therapeutic measures. It occurs in patients with renal artery stenosis. We report two male patients aged 71 and 74 years old, presenting with acute dyspnea and high blood pressure. Diffuse rales were auscultated and arterial blood pressure was high in both. Dyspnea subsided in few hours with diuretics and oxygen. In both, a critical renal arterial stenosis was found and an angioplasty with stent placement was performed. After 5 and 6 months of follow up, the patients remain asymptomatic.