Development of a risk score for patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Ischaemic cardiomyopathy is a leading cause of heart failure and is associated with a poor prognosis. AIM: To evaluate predictors of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and to develop a risk score for the disease. METHODS: All patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy referred to a tertiary hospital between 2010 and 2018 for stress-rest gated single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) were included retrospectively (n=747). Clinical and gated SPECT-derived variables were analysed as predictors of MACE, a combined endpoint of cardiovascular mortality, heart failure hospitalization or myocardial infarction during follow-up. A multivariable Cox model using backwards stepwise regression with competing risks was used to select the best parsimonious model. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 4.7 years, 313 patients had MACE (41.9%). Independent predictors of MACE were previous heart failure admission, worsening angina or dyspnoea, estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤60mL/min/1.73 m2, age>73 years, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, end-diastolic volume index>83mL/m2 and>12% of scarred myocardium. A risk score ranging from 0 to 12 classified patients as at intermediate risk (event rate of 4.0 MACE per 100 person-years), high risk (11.3 MACE per 100 person-years) or very high risk (27.8 MACE per 100 person-years). The internally validated area under the curve was 0.720 (95% confidence interval 0.660-0.740) and calibration was adequate (Hosmer-Lemeshow test P=0.28) for MACE. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy, a simple risk score using dichotomic and readily available variables obtained from clinical assessment and gated SPECT accurately predicts the risk of MACE.

Usefulness of the Vall d'Hebron Risk Score to stratify the risk of patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the Vall d'Hebron-Risk-Score (VH-RS) to stratify the risk of patients with stable ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM), and assess whether hemoglobin (Hb) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) provide additional information to the VH-RS. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analysed 673 consecutive patients with ICM who underwent gated SPECT. According to VH-RS, we stratified patients into 4-risk-levels: very-low-risk (VLR), low-risk (LR), moderate-risk (MR), and high-risk (HRi). We considered as MACEs: non-fatal myocardial infarction (MI), heart failure hospitalization (HF), coronary revascularization (CR), and cardiac death (CD). Also the cardiac-resynchronization-therapy (CRT), and the implantable-cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) were investigated. During the follow-up (4.8 ± 2.7 years), 379 patients had MACEs (0.18/patient/year). There were no patients in VLR and LR. All patients were reclassified in 3-risk-levels (MRi = 48; HRi = 121; VHRi[very high risk] = 504). Most patients with MACEs were in VHRi level (test-for-trend: MACEs ≥ 1 without CRT/ICD, P < .001; combined non-fatal MI, CD and CR, P < .001; MACEs ≥ 1 with CRT/ICD, P < .001). The Hb and eGFR values do not properly improve the risk stratification obtained by the VH-RS (global-NRI[net-reclassification-improvement] was: (MACEs ≥ 1 without CRT/ICD: - 10.6%; non-fatal MI, CD and CR: - 9.08%; and MACEs ≥ 1 with CRT/ICD: - 8.85%). CONCLUSION: VH-RS is effective in evaluating risk of patients with stable ICM. In our population, adding Hb and eGFR variables do not improve the performance of the VH-RS.

Silicosis crónica complicada, hallazgo en un paciente asintomático / Complicated Chronic Silicosis: Findings in Asymptomatic Patient

La silicosis es producida por la inhalación mantenida de dióxido de silicio (SiO2). Los trabajos en canteras e industrias de roca ornamental, granito y pizarra, y marmolerías son las exposiciones clásicamente descriptas, junto al pulido con chorro de arena. El arenado de jeans, producción de mesadas de cocinas y baños han surgido más recientemente. Las presentaciones clínicas pueden clasificarse en silicosis crónica (sim ple, complicada y fibrosis pulmonar), silicosis acelerada y silicosis aguda, según los años de exposición y factores individuales. Se presenta un caso clínico de un paciente masculino de 78 años con silicosis crónica complicada, asintomático, diagnosticado en contexto de un examen prequirúrgico.

Silicosis is caused by sustained inhalation of silicon dioxide (SiO2). Work in quarries and industries of ornamental rock, granite and slate, and marble work, are the typi cally described types of exposure, together with sandblasting. Denim sandblasting and the production of kitchen and bathroom countertops have emerged more recently. Clinical presentations can be classified into chronic silicosis (simple, complicated, and pulmonary fibrosis), accelerated silicosis, and acute silicosis, depending on years of exposure and individual factors. We present a clinical case of a 78-year-old male pa tient with complicated chronic silicosis, asymptomatic, diagnosed in the context of a pre-surgical examination.

Impact of revascularization guided by functional testing in ischaemic cardiomyopathy.

AIMS: The burden of ischaemia is a risk factor for adverse outcomes in ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) but is not systematically tested when deciding on revascularization. Limited data exists in patients with ICM regarding the interaction between ischaemia and early coronary revascularization (ECR). This study sought to determine if the burden of ischaemia modifies the outcomes of ECR in ICM. METHODS AND RESULTS: Consecutive patients with ICM (left ventricular ejection fraction < 40%) with a stress-rest gated single-photon emission computed tomography (N = 747) were followed-up for ECR and major cardiovascular events (MACEs, cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or heart failure hospitalization). A 1:1 matched population was selected using a propensity score for ECR. The interaction between ischaemia and ECR was evaluated in the matched cohort. In the initial cohort, 131 patients underwent ECR. Of them, 109 were matched to non-ECR patients. After a median follow up of 4.1 years, 102 (46.8%) patients experienced a MACE. The effect of revascularization on MACE was dependent of the percent of ischaemia (P for the interaction at 10% ischaemia = 0.021), so that a trend towards a decreased risk of MACE was seen in patients with >10% of ischaemia [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.59 (0.30-1.18)], whereas a non-significant increase of MACE was observed in those with <10% ischaemia (HR = 1.67 [0.94-2.96]). CONCLUSIONS: In a contemporary cohort of patients with ICM, the beneficial effects of ECR may be mediated by the percent of ischaemia. This study supports stress testing in ICM and an ischaemia-guided approach for ECR.

Echocardiographic assessment of COVID19 sequelae in survivors with elevated cardiac biomarkers.

AIMS: We sought to determine, using advanced echocardiography, the prevalence and type of cardiovascular sequelae after COVID19 infection with marked elevation of cardiovascular biomarkers (CVB), and their prognostic implications. METHODS: All patients admitted from March 1st to May 25th, 2020 to a tertiary referral hospital were included. Those with cardiovascular diseases or dead during admission were excluded. Patients with hs-TnI > 45 ng/L, NT-proBNP>300 pg/mL, and D-dimer >8000 ng/mL were matched with COVID controls (three biomarkers within the normal range) based on intensive care requirements and age, and separately analyzed. RESULTS: From 2025 patients, 80 patients with significantly elevated CVB and 29 controls were finally included. No differences in baseline characteristics were observed among groups, but elevated CVB patients were sicker. Follow-up echocardiograms showed no differences among groups regarding LVEF and only slight differences between groups within the normal range. Hs-TnI patients had lower myocardial work and longitudinal strain. The presence of an abnormal echocardiogram was more frequent in the elevated CVB group compared to controls (23.8 vs 10.3%, P = 0.123) but mainly associated with mild abnormalities in deformation parameters. Management did not change in any case and no major cardiovascular events except deep vein thrombosis occurred after a median follow-up of 7 months. CONCLUSION: Minimal abnormalities in cardiac structure and function are observed in COVID19 survivors without previous cardiovascular diseases who presented a significant CVB rise at admission, with no impact on patient management or short-term prognosis. These results do not support a routine screening program after discharge in this population.

Q waves in ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Q waves may be observed in the absence of non-viable tissue. However, their scintigraphic translation in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) has not been properly assessed. This study sought to establish the determinants of Q waves in the absence of non-viable tissue and the diagnostic accuracy in this population. A retrospective study enrolling 487 consecutive patients (67.0 [57.4 - 75.4] years), with ICM, LVEF < 40% and narrow QRS who underwent stress-rest 99 m-Tc SPECT was conducted. A 17-segment model for myocardium was used: Myocardium was divided in basal (1 to 6), mid (7 to 12), apical (13 to 16) and apex (17) segments. Non-viable tissue was defined as a severe perfusion defect without systolic thickening. Patients with Q waves (65.7%) had more non-viable tissue, more extensive scar and less ischemia. Q waves had a moderate correlation with non-viable tissue (AUC = 0.63) and were associated with the extension of the scar. After excluding patients with non-viable tissue in any myocardial segment, Q waves were observed in 51.9% of the patients, of which 78.1% had a scar fulfilling viability criteria. The presence of Q waves was associated with the location of these scars in a base-to-apex axis (OR = 1.88 [1.35-2.62] for segment towards the apex) and their extent (OR = 1.19 [1.05 - 1.35] for each segment). In patients with ICM, Q waves discriminate poorly viable from non-viable tissue. Q waves in this population may be due to extensive scars fulfilling viability criteria located in apical segments.

Metástasis endobronquial de presentación inusual / Endobronchial metastasis of unusual presentation

Paciente de sexo masculino, 66 años de edad, no tabaquista. Consultó a principios del año 2017 por tos seca persistente de un mes de evolución, refractaria al tratamiento médico. El paciente negaba disnea

Ventilación mecánica domiciliaria con doble nivel de presión positiva: Experiencia de un hospital de Buenos Aires / Home Mechanical Ventilation with Bilevel Positive Pressure. Experience from a Buenos Aires Hospital

Introducción: La ventilación domiciliaria con equipos de doble nivel de presión positiva (DNPP) es un tratamiento de uso cada vez más frecuente en nuestro medio. Objetivo: Analizar la situación actual de los pacientes con ventilación domiciliaria del Hospital Churruca. Sus características demográficas, clínicas, de uso del ventilador y relacionadas con la prestación del servicio en domicilio. Materiales y métodos: Se localizó a los pacientes a los que se les prescribió un equipo entre el 2000 y 2013. Se citaron a control para completar y actualizar datos referidos al uso de la ventilación. Para la clasificación de patologías respiratorias se utilizó la metodología del estudio Eurovent. Se entregó un cuestionario para valorar aspectos relacionados con el acceso al servicio técnico y controles domiciliarios. Resultados: Se analizaron 43 pacientes. Sexo femenino 58%, índice masa corporal 37,52 ±11,5 kg/m2. Dentro de las patologías el 58% causas pulmonares, 26% torácicas, 14% neuromusculares. El 79% fueron localizados y el 21% fueron considerados perdidos. Se objetivó uso actual en 62%, abandono en el 26% y 12% fallecimientos. En el grupo Torácicas el abandono fue del 50%.El 56% de los encuestados refirió conocer la manera de acceder al servicio técnico. Al 50% nunca se le realizó un control del equipo. Conclusiones: Existe una mayoría de sexo femenino y una prevalencia alta de obesidad. La mayor parte de los pacientes ventilados fueron por causas pulmonares y con elevada tasa de abandono global, sobretodo en el grupo torácicas. Quedó en evidencia un escaso control de los equipos en el domicilio.

Introduction: Mechanical ventilation equipment for home use is an increasingly common treatment in clinical practice. Objective: Analyze the current situation of patients attending Churruca Hospital with home mechanical ventilation. Describe demographic and clinical characteristics, related to ventilator use and to provision of the home technical services. Materials and Methods: We identified the patients who were prescribed mechanical ventilation from 2000 to 2013. We invited them to come to the hospital to complete and update data about the ventilator use. The Eurovent methodology was used for the classification of respiratory diseases. A questionnaire was delivered to evaluate aspects related to health service access and home control. Results: 43 patients were analyzed; 58% were females, the body mass index was 37.52 ± 11.5 kg/m2. Respiratory diseases: Lung pathologies, 58%; Thoracic pathologies, 26%; Neuromuscular diseases, 14%. 79% of patients were located and 21% were considered lost of sight. 62% currently used the equipment, 26% had stopped using the ventilator and 12% of patients had died. Dropout was registered in 50% of the thoracic group. Among all located patients, 56% reported knowing how to access to home technical service and 50% had never had an equipment control at home. Conclusions: We observed both a female predominance and a high prevalence of obesity among the patients included in the study. Pulmonary diseases were the major reason for prescription of mechanical ventilation at home .We observed a high default rate, especially in the thoracic pathology group. There were few equipment controls at home.

Ventilación mecánica domiciliaria con doble nivel de presión positiva: Experiencia de un hospital de Buenos Aires

Introducción: La ventilación domiciliaria con equipos de doble nivel de presión positiva (DNPP) es un tratamiento de uso cada vez más frecuente en nuestro medio. Objetivo: Analizar la situación actual de los pacientes con ventilación domiciliaria del Hospital Churruca. Sus características demográficas, clínicas, de uso del ventilador y relacionadas con la prestación del servicio en domicilio. Materiales y métodos: Se localizó a los pacientes a los que se les prescribió un equipo entre el 2000 y 2013. Se citaron a control para completar y actualizar datos referidos al uso de la ventilación. Para la clasificación de patologías respiratorias se utilizó la metodología del estudio Eurovent. Se entregó un cuestionario para valorar aspectos relacionados con el acceso al servicio técnico y controles domiciliarios. Resultados: Se analizaron 43 pacientes. Sexo femenino 58%, índice masa corporal 37,52 ±11,5 kg/m2. Dentro de las patologías el 58% causas pulmonares, 26% torácicas, 14% neuromusculares. El 79% fueron localizados y el 21% fueron considerados perdidos. Se objetivó uso actual en 62%, abandono en el 26% y 12% fallecimientos. En el grupo Torácicas el abandono fue del 50%.El 56% de los encuestados refirió conocer la manera de acceder al servicio técnico. Al 50% nunca se le realizó un control del equipo. Conclusiones: Existe una mayoría de sexo femenino y una prevalencia alta de obesidad. La mayor parte de los pacientes ventilados fueron por causas pulmonares y con elevada tasa de abandono global, sobretodo en el grupo torácicas. Quedó en evidencia un escaso control de los equipos en el domicilio.(AU)

Introduction: Mechanical ventilation equipment for home use is an increasingly common treatment in clinical practice. Objective: Analyze the current situation of patients attending Churruca Hospital with home mechanical ventilation. Describe demographic and clinical characteristics, related to ventilator use and to provision of the home technical services. Materials and Methods: We identified the patients who were prescribed mechanical ventilation from 2000 to 2013. We invited them to come to the hospital to complete and update data about the ventilator use. The Eurovent methodology was used for the classification of respiratory diseases. A questionnaire was delivered to evaluate aspects related to health service access and home control. Results: 43 patients were analyzed; 58% were females, the body mass index was 37.52 ± 11.5 kg/m2. Respiratory diseases: Lung pathologies, 58%; Thoracic pathologies, 26%; Neuromuscular diseases, 14%. 79% of patients were located and 21% were considered lost of sight. 62% currently used the equipment, 26% had stopped using the ventilator and 12% of patients had died. Dropout was registered in 50% of the thoracic group. Among all located patients, 56% reported knowing how to access to home technical service and 50% had never had an equipment control at home. Conclusions: We observed both a female predominance and a high prevalence of obesity among the patients included in the study. Pulmonary diseases were the major reason for prescription of mechanical ventilation at home .We observed a high default rate, especially in the thoracic pathology group. There were few equipment controls at home.(AU)

Manejo del nódulo pulmonar solitario por cirugía videotoracoscópica / Videothorascocpic management of the solitary pulmonare nodule

Introducción: El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar las distintas etiologías delos nódulos pulmonares solitarios (NPS) resecados quirúrgicamente; establecer la rentabilidad diagnóstica y la tasa de complicaciones de la resección videotoracoscópica (VATS) del NPS.Métodos: Se evaluaron 483 pacientes operados de NPS en el Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires entre el período 1987-2008. Los criterios de inclusión para NPS fueron: lesión intrapulmonar menor de 3 cm., rodeada de parénquima sano, no asociada aatelectasia, neumonía y/o adenomegalias.Resultados: El examen patológico de los nódulos resecados mostró 342 (70.8%) lesiones malignas y 141(29.2%) lesiones benignas. Entre las lesiones benignas los granulomas (48.2%) y hamartomas (22.7%) resultaron ser las principales causas. Los NPS malignos se observaron en pacientes de mayor edad y su tamaño fue mayor (p=<0.001). Sin embargo, no fueron diferentes en cuanto antecedente de tabaquismo (p=0.981) y de neoplasia previa (p= 0.918). La cirugía torácica videoasistida (VATS) se realizó en 238 pacientes (49.3%). La conversión a toracotomía se realizó en 7 casos (8.3%) de los nódulos benignos siendo los motivos principales: la imposibilidad de localizar la lesión ó la necesidad de ampliación de la resección. Se presentaron complicaciones vinculadas a la cirugía videotoracoscópica (VATS) en 8 casos (3.36%). Conclusión: La VATS es un procedimiento de muy baja morbimortalidad en la resección de nódulos benignos. La edad del paciente y el tamaño del nódulo pulmonar resultaron ser factores confiables para predecir la histología maligna.

Clinical impact of the use of the revised International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer staging system to operable non-small-cell lung cancers.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study, therefore, was to evaluate the impact of the use of the present classification IASLC staging system (TNM7) on the categorization of patients and survival after resection. METHODS: Between August 1985 and January 2007, 414 consecutive patients underwent pulmonary resection with a curative intention for NSCLC at the British Hospital in Buenos Aires were included in this study only if they were pathologically staged as N0-M0. Preoperative staging was performed according to the TNM classification system of the International Union Against Cancer (173 men, 58 women). RESULTS: 231 tumours were identified as pathological N0. Mean age was 61.4 years. 173 patients (74.9%) were men. When the TNM7 was applied, 28 patients (12.1%) changed their T factor staging (14 were moved towards a higher T and 14 were moved to a lower T) and 41 patients (17.7%) changed their pathological staging by applying the TNM7: 14 patients were downstaged (6.1%) and 27 (11.7%) were upstaged. With the present T definition among 103 patients in stage IB 27 were upstaged (18 to IIA and 9 to IIB) and in the group of stage IIIB (n=14) all of them were downstaged (5 to IIB and 9 to IIA). The current T definition showed a statistically significant difference between the two T1 subgroups (93% versus 70% 5 year survival between T1a and T1b, p=0.027). CONCLUSION: This study shows that the clinical impact of the using the IASLC proposed staging system would be modest but relevant, identifying a subgroup with a better prognosis (T1a).

[Efficacy of Enalapril in patients with single kidney and with or without normoprotein diet]. / Eficacia del Enalapril en pacientes monorrenos con dieta normoproteica y sin ella.

INTRODUCTION: The patient with a solitary kidney and free protein intake can present pathological microalbuminuria. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of Enalapril in patients with single kidney and with or without normoprotein diet. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 49 patients, mean age 11 years, eutrophics, with normal renal function and with approved medical consent. The exclusion criteria were: uropathies, arterial hypertension, malignant diseases, orthostatic proteinuria and previous treatments with nephrotoxics drugs. Patients were classified in two groups: Group A: with normoprotein diet (0.8 to 1.2 g/kg/day). Group B: with free protein intake. The patients with abnormal microalbuminuria received Enalapril (doses between 0.1-0.3 mg/kg/ day). RESULTS: Group A: 21 patients, 2 with abnormal microalbuminuria. Mean increase of the renal size 14% (SD 8), risk of presenting pathological microalbuminuria: 9%. Group B: 28 patients, 11 with pathological microalbuminuria. Mean increase of the renal size: 33.8% (SD 6.1), risk of presenting abnormal microalbuminuria: 40%. RR: 4.125 (CI 1-16) (p: 0.01). NND: 3. Mean range of microalbuminuria pre- Enalapril 50 microg/min and post-Enalapril 11 microg/ min. Mean doses of Enalapril: 0.2 mg/kg/day. Correlation coefficient between increase of renal size and microalbuminuria range: 0.75 and between increase renal size and protein intake: 0.72. Mean time to reach abnormal microalbuminuria: 81 months (DS 7). CONCLUSION: Enalapril together with the normoprotein diet in patient with single kidney reduces the risk of developing abnormal microalbuminuria.

Eficacia del Enalapril en pacientes monorrenos con dieta normoproteica y sin ella / Efficacy of Enalapril in patients with single kidney and with or without normoprotein diet

El paciente monorreno, sin dieta normoproteica,puede presentar microalbuminuriaanormal con eventual desarrollo de glomerulosclerosis.Objetivo. Evaluar la eficacia del Enalapril parareducir la microalbuminuria patológica en pacientesmonorrenos con dieta normoproteica y sin ella.Población, material y métodos. Estudiamos 49 pacientesmonorrenos, edad (media) 11 años, eutróficos,con función renal normal y consentimiento médicoaprobado. Criterios de exclusión: uropatías,hipertensión arterial, enfermedades oncológicas, tratamientoscon drogas nefrotóxicas, proteinuriaortostática. La población se clasificó en dos grupos:Grupo A: con dieta normoproteica (0,8-1,2 g/kg/díapara sexo y edad). Grupo B: con dieta libre.A los pacientes con microalbuminuria anormal seles administró Enalapril (intervalo de dosis: 0,1 mg/kg/día a 0,3 mg/kg/día).Resultados. Grupo A: 21 pacientes, 2 con microalbuminuriapatológica. Aumento promedio del tamañorenal: 14% (DE 8 por ciento). Riesgo de presentarmicroalbuminuria patológica: 9 porc ciento.Grupo B: 28 pacientes, 11 con microalbuminuriaanormal. Riesgo de presentar microalbuminuriaanormal: 40 por ciento. Aumento promedio del tamaño renal:33,8 (DE 6,1 por ciento). RR: 4,125(IC 1-16) (p: 0,01).NND: 3. Media de microalbuminuria pre-Enalapril50,20 μg/minuto y post-Enalapril 11,5 μg/minuto.Dosis media de Enalapril: 0,2 mg/kg/día.Coeficiente de correlación entre microalbuminuriay aumento del tamaño renal: 0,75; y entre ingestaproteica y aumento del tamaño renal: 0,72.Tiempo (medio) de aparición de la microalbuminuriaanormal: 81 meses (DE 7 meses).Conclusión. El Enalapril junto con la dieta normoproteicaen pacientes monorrenos disminuyen elriesgo de desarrollar microalbuminuria anormal