Neurotoxidad inducida por ifosfamida / Ifosfamide-induced neurotoxicity

Introducción: La ifosfamida es un agente alquilante utilizado para el tratamiento de enfermedades oncohematológicas. Entre sus eventos adversos agudos se encuentra la neurotoxicidad. Esta puede presentarse desde el inicio de la infusión hasta tres días después. El tratamiento consiste en suspender la administración y asegurar una adecuada hidratación. Objetivo: Describir eventos neurológicos asociados al uso de ifosfamida en pacientes pediátricos con enfermedades oncohematológicas. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, retrospectivo y transversal. Los datos se obtuvieron de historias clínicas de pacientes internados en el Hospital Garrahan que infundieron ifosfamida y desarrollaron síntomas neurológicos. Se analizaron edad, diagnóstico de base, dosis de ifosfamida, síntomas neurológicos y su relación con la infusión, tratamiento instaurado, exámenes complementarios y posibles factores de riesgo asociados. Resultados: Se registraron un total de catorce eventos neurológicos en doce pacientes, sin diferencia de sexo, con una mediana de edad de 9,5 años. La enfermedad de base más prevalente fue osteosarcoma. Las convulsiones fueron el síntoma más frecuente (50%), seguido de somnolencia y paresias. La combinación de ifosfamida y etopósido con/sin carboplatino se asoció en un 36% cada uno. El 64% desarrolló neurotoxicidad dentro de las primeras cuatro horas. Ningún paciente presentó alteraciones en los exámenes complementarios. Todos presentaron recuperación ad integrum. Conclusión: Este estudio brinda información acerca del tiempo de aparición de esta complicación, lo cual facilitará su detección precoz y tratamiento oportuno (AU)

Introduction: Ifosfamide is an alkylating agent used for the treatment of cancer. Among its acute adverse events is neurotoxicity. This can occur from the beginning of the infusion up to three days afterwards. Treatment consists of discontinuing administration and ensuring adequate hydration. Objective: To describe neurological events associated with the use of ifosfamide in children with cancer. Materials and methods: Observational, descriptive, retrospective, and cross-sectional study. Data were obtained from clinical records of patients admitted to the Garrahan Hospital who received ifosfamide infusion and developed neurological symptoms. Age, baseline diagnosis, ifosfamide dose, neurological symptoms and their relationship with the infusion, treatment, complementary tests, and possible associated risk factors were analyzed. Results: A total of fourteen neurological events were recorded in twelve patients, without difference in sex and with a median age of 9.5 years. The most prevalent underlying disease was osteosarcoma. Seizures were the most frequent symptom (50%), followed by drowsiness and paresis. The combination of ifosfamide and etoposide with/without carboplatin was associated in 36% each. Sixty-four percent developed neurotoxicity within the first four hours. None of the patients presented with abnormalities in the complementary examinations. All recovered ad integrum. Conclusion: This study provides information about the time of onset of this complication, which will facilitate its early detection and timely treatment (AU)

A clinical study for the durability of oxygenators on cardiopulmonary support.

Cardiopulmonary support (CPS) requires durability of the oxygenator. The life span of the oxygenator is affected by various clinical factors, including patient condition, perfusion condition, and equipment usage. Predictors for the durability of oxygenators were evaluated clinically in this study. Thirty-two patients, who had undergone CPS during the last 3 years in our institute were assigned to this study. Fifty oxygenators had been used (Capiox SX in 19, CB Maxima in 23, and AL-6000 in 8). Significant predictors for the durability of oxygenators were evaluated by nonparametric survival analysis and proportional hazards regression analysis. Univariate regression analysis revealed 6 significant predictors for the life span of oxygenators. These were the oxygenator type, type of centrifugal pump, acidosis with blood pH less than 7.35, base excess less than -5, blood glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) levels greater than 1,000 IU, and blood lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels greater than 3,000 IU. After multivariate analysis, there remained only 2 significant predictors. An oxygenator used with a noncoated CPS system (Capiox SX with Capiox EBS) proved to have a significantly shorter life span than one used with a heparin-coated system (CB Maxima or AL-6000 with CB BP-80) (hazards ratio, 3.588, p = 0.0065). Patient conditions, which revealed acidosis with less than -5 of base excess, significantly shortened the life of the oxygenator (hazards ratio, 3.595, p = 0.0188).