Sacroiliac Joint Denervation-A Novel Approach to Target Sacral Lateral Branches: A Practical Approach.

INTRODUCTION: Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain is a relatively common cause of low back pain. Percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) techniques for SIJ are limited to ablation of the posterior SIJ innervation. Different techniques have been described for SIJ radiofrequency ablation, including conventional thermal, cooled RF, pulsed RF, bipolar RF, and specialized tip RF needle (i.e., multi-tined); however, additional costs may limit these applications. METHODS: This new technique for SIJ denervation uses anatomical landmarks and a single RF cannula. Two spinal needles are placed lateral to the posterior S1 and S2 sacral foramina; then, with caudal tilt we get a coaxial view of the sacral bone, we advance an 18-G curved 15-mm active tip RF cannula just lateral to the aligned finder needles. Ablation is performed, and then the RF cannula is retracted 2 cm and ablation is repeated for a total of four lesions. RESULTS: The two spinal needles placed lateral to the posterior sacral foramina S1 and S2 guide the final needle in the posterior aspect of the sacrum, lateral to the sacral foramina, where the lateral sacral branches are located. CONCLUSION: We introduce a cost and time efficient technique to perform radiofrequency ablation of the sacral lateral branches using a single RF needle. This technique utilizes the sacrum's reliable anatomy and angulation and maximizes the surface area of the active tip lesioning. This technique creates a strip lesion lateral to the sacral foramina and reduces time and cost efficacy compared to several of the other techniques and/or commercially available special devices designed for sacroiliac denervation.

Bipolar radiofrequency ablation for cancer pain in the trigeminal distribution.

Tumours in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) are associated with a more significant decrease in quality of life compared with the rest of patients with cancer. We present a patient with pain due to HNC successfully treated with bipolar radiofrequency ablation. A man in his 70s presented with a tumour in the left V2 and V3 region, with disabling pain, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score of 10/10, pain on swallowing, chewing and speaking, 3 months of evolution. The patient was evaluated in the pain management department, and the interventional treatment proposed consisted of bipolar pulsed radiofrequency, followed by bipolar thermal radiofrequency of the left V2 and V3 branches with fluoroscopic guidance to achieve better control and coverage of the affected trigeminal branches. Immediately after the procedure, the patient reported a significant improvement in pain with a 0-10 VAS; hypoesthesia in the affected V2 and V3 territory was identified, but no motor weakness. The improvement in pain was maintained for 6 months with a significant improvement in quality of life and pain, which allowed him to speak, chew and swallow without pain. Later, the patient died from complications associated with the disease. The treatment approach in these patients is both pain treatment and achieving independence by allowing better speech ability and improving eating, the above as a pillar of treatment focused on improving the patient's quality of life. This approach is a potential tool in the early stage of the disease in patients with pain due to HNC.

The Gut Microbiota-Brain Axis during Aging, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: Role of Tau Protein, ß-Amyloid and LPS in Serum and Curli Protein in Stool.

Currently, there is an increasing number of people with mild cognitive (MCI) impairment and dementia (D). In the present work we studied the role of tau protein, ß-amyloid, LPS (lipopolysaccharide), and curli protein of elderly adults with MCI or D and the contribution of gut microbiota. Four groups were studied: young subjects, healthy adults older than 60 years (A), elderly adults with MCI (MCI), and elderly adults with dementia (D). A preclinical study was conducted in old male Wistar rats to evaluate the impact of gut microbiota on curli protein abundance in feces and brain. The results showed that with increasing age, tau protein, ß-amyloid, and LPS significantly increased in serum during MCI and D, and this was associated with an increase in the abundance of E. coli that synthesize the amyloid protein curli, that may promote the aggregation of amyloid proteins. Rats showed a clear increase in the abundance of curli protein in the brain during aging. Thus, cognitive impairment and dementia are in part due to an alteration in the gut microbiota-brain axis via increase in curli protein and LPS leading to an increase in tau and ß-amyloid protein.

Obesogenic Diet-Induced Neuroinflammation: A Pathological Link between Hedonic and Homeostatic Control of Food Intake.

Obesity-induced neuroinflammation is a chronic aseptic central nervous system inflammation that presents systemic characteristics associated with increased pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß) and interleukin 18 (IL-18) and the presence of microglia and reactive astrogliosis as well as the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. The obesity pandemic is associated with lifestyle changes, including an excessive intake of obesogenic foods and decreased physical activity. Brain areas such as the lateral hypothalamus (LH), lateral septum (LS), ventral tegmental area (VTA), and nucleus accumbens (NAcc) have been implicated in the homeostatic and hedonic control of feeding in experimental models of diet-induced obesity. In this context, a chronic lipid intake triggers neuroinflammation in several brain regions such as the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala. This review aims to present the background defining the significant impact of neuroinflammation and how this, when induced by an obesogenic diet, can affect feeding control, triggering metabolic and neurological alterations.

A practical access for fluoroscopically-guided percutaneous sacroplasty: Case report.

BACKGROUND: Sacral metastases represent the lowest percentage of invasion to the spine, however, as chemotherapy treatments progress, the cancer survival rate has become higher, and the percentage of sacral metastases has increased. Treatment options for sacrum metastases are surgery, radiotherapy, and minimally invasive techniques such as sacroplasty and radiofrequency ablation. Knowing the repercussions that advancing the needle anteriorly (viscera) or medially (sacral roots) can have during the sacroplasty we are describing a technique to perform c-arm sacroplasty in coaxial vision, to identify the anterior sacral cortical bone that is in the limits of the pelvic viscera as well as the sacral foraminal line. CASE PRESENTATION: In the current report, we present a 75-year-old male patient with prostate cancer metastatic to S1, S2, S3 and iliac, with severe lumbar axial pain VAS 8/10. With a caudal tilt between 35-45 degrees until aligning the sacrum in a coaxial view, a 11-gauge Jamshidi needle is advanced from s3 to s1. The trajectory of the needle during the procedure is corroborated in AP and lateral, S1 is cemented, and the needle is withdrawn to cement S2 and S3. After the sacroplasty with the coaxial access, the patient reported VAS 1-2/10. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to offer an adequate quality of life to patients with sacral fractures, whether associated with cancer or sacral insufficiency fractures (SIF). Sacroplasty, being a recently described technique, can be a very viable option for these patients, that's why it is important to have safe and reliable techniques to complement the approach of this minimally invasive technique.The coaxial access may be a safe and practical way to perform sacroplasty in these patients.

Bienestar laboral y condiciones de trabajo en docentes de primaria y secundaria / Well-being at work and working conditions in primary and secondary school teachers

Resumen Las condiciones laborales hacen referencía a las particularidades del entorno o ambiente en el que se realizan las actividades de trabajo. A lo largo de la história, las condiciones laborales de los docentes han experimentado contínuas transformaciones bajo distintas reformas educativas, que repercuten en su grado de bienestar en el trabajo. El objetivo de la presente investigación es analizar la relación entre la valoración de las condiciones de trabajo y el bienestar laboral percibido en 132 docentes de primaria y secundaria de colegios públicos y privados de la ciudad de Cali, Colombia. Para tal efecto se utilizó una metodología cuantitativa con diseño correlacional y muestreo no probabilístico intencional. Se evidenció un aumento en el tiempo dedicado a realizar la función docente, la organización y la carga laboral, lo cual genera en los docentes afectaciones en su bienestar laboral. Se encontró una relación significativa entre las condiciones de trabajo y el bienestar laboral de los docentes, de manera que el tipo de contratación temporal genera en ellos inseguridad, inestabilidad y algunos efectos colaterales como somatizaciones y agotamiento, perjudicando su rendimiento laboral, salud y bienestar.

Abstract Working conditions refer to the particularities of the environment in which work activities are carried out. Throughout history, teachers' working conditions have undergone continuous transformations under different educational reforms, which have an impact on their well-being at work. The research objective was to analyze the relationship between the assessment of working conditions and perceived occupational well-being in 132 primary and secondary teachers from public and private schools in the city of Cali, Colombia. It was carried out by means of a quantitative methodology with a correlational design and intentional non-probabilistic sampling. It was evidenced that increasing in the time devoted to performing the teaching function, organization and workload affects teachers´ welfare. Additionally, a significant relationship was found between the working conditions and the labor well-being of teachers. The type of short-term contracting generates job insecurity and instability and some collateral effects such as somatization and exhaustion, which are detrimental to their work performance, health, and wellbeing.

Priapismo refractario y necrosis de glande secundario a COVID- 19 / Refractory priapism and glans necrosis secondary to COVID-19

La pandemia causada por el SARS -COV 2 ha sido uno de los hitos más importantes de la última década, provocando desestabilización de los sistemas económicos, salud y educación. La infección por SARS COV2 se característica principalmente por la afección del sistema respiratorio, sin embargo, logra afectar muchos órganos extrapulmonares, aunque la fisiopatología no está totalmente dilucidada se evidencia una gran incidencia de eventos tromboembólicos en pacientes complicados. La infección por SARS-Cov2 tienen un amplio abanico de signos y síntomas, durante la pandemia debemos sospechar de esta viremia en pacientes con priapismo refractario presentamos el caso por la inédita presentación y por el curso atípico de la enfermedad.

Light-Initiated C-H Activation via Net Hydrogen Atom Transfer to a Molybdenum(VI) Dioxo.

MoO2Cl2(bpy-tBu) (1) is shown to be a potent one-electron oxidant upon irradiation with 365 nm light in various solvents, while being a weak two-electron oxidant in the dark. Complex 1 is characterized to activate various types of C-H bonds photochemically, including allylic and benzylic positions as well as alkanes and aldehydes. In all of these oxidations, 1 ultimately forms a bimetallic Mo(V)/Mo(V) species with a µ-oxo ligand (2). Depending on the substrate, the major organic product is identified as either an oxygenated or a C-C coupled (homodimerized) compound along with a minor chlorinated species. The product selectivity is proposed to be dependent upon the relative values between the bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE) of a potentially new C-OH bond within the product versus the BDE of a Mo-OH motif within a Mo(V)O(OH) intermediate. Based on this, we can estimate the BDE for Mo-OH to be 83-93 kcal/mol. Mechanistic studies suggest that the C-H activation occurs via a net hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) from 1* occurring either asynchronously or via a stepwise electron-proton transfer (ET-PT) process. Complex 2 is further demonstrated to reform dioxo 1 in the presence of chemical oxidants.

Caracterización epidemiológica y clínica de los pacientes intervenidos en una cirugía de revascularización miocárdica / Epidemiological and clinical characterization of patients undergoing myocardial revascularization surgery

Resumen Introducción: La cardiopatía isquémica es un problema de salud pública y puede tratarse por medio de la revascularización miocárdica. Objetivo: Estructurar el primer perfil epidemiológico y clínico de los pacientes intervenidos en Tolima. Materiales y método: Es un estudio de corte transversal, de 183 pacientes mayores de 18 años programados para revascularización miocárdica entre septiembre de 2018 y septiembre de 2019. Se eligieron variables clínicas y demográficas. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo, un análisis bivariado para mortalidad y circulación extracorpórea, y una regresión logística para la mortalidad intrahospitalaria. Resultados: La edad media de los pacientes fue de 66.7 años y un 68.85% correspondió a la población femenina. Se presentó HA en 80.33%, tabaquismo en 49.18%, dislipidemia en 44.81% y DM en 40.98%. Se registró mayor proporción de complicaciones en los pacientes intervenidos sin CEC, como complicaciones pulmonares, FA de novo y una estancia intrahospitalaria y posoperatoria mayor. Los pacientes que fallecieron tuvieron mayor proporción de complicaciones, mayor estancia hospitalaria, mayor cantidad de reintervenciones y tiempo de ventilación mecánica. El modelo de regresión reveló una relación con mortalidad para los pacientes que tuvieron requerimiento de diálisis (OR = 8.7) complicaciones pulmonares (OR = 10.5) y desarrollo de FA de novo (OR = 11.3). Conclusiones: Este estudio caracteriza a la población para generar marcos de referencia en un grupo poco estudiado como el tolimense. De modo adicional, se presentaron mejores desenlaces en los pacientes llevados a revascularización miocárdica con circulación extracorpórea, y unas relaciones claras de mortalidad y complicaciones posoperatorias.

Abstract Introduction: The ischemic cardiopathy is a public health issue, that can be treated with a coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Objective: To present the first clinical and epidemiological profile of CABG treated patients in Tolima, Colombia. Materials and method: We conduct a cross sectional study, including 183 patients driven to a CABG procedure, between September 2018-2019. We chose clinical and demographic variables. And posteriorly, performed a descriptive and bivariate analysis, including mortality and extracorporeal circulation. Besides, we completed a logistic regression for intrahospital mortality. Results: The average age of our patients was 66,7 years, and 68.85% were female. They presented in an 80.33% arterial hypertension, smoked an 49.18%, had dyslipidemia and diabetes 44.81% and 40.95% respectively. There were more complications in patients who were drove into on pump CABG, primarily pulmonary complications, atrial fibrillation, mayor intrahospital and post-operatory stay. The patients who died, present more complications, intrahospital stay, reinterventions and mechanic ventilation time. Our regression model evidenced mortality association with post-operatory dialysis (OR = 8.7), pulmonary complications (OR = 10.5) and new atrial fibrillation (OR = 11.3). Conclusions: This study aim to characterize the Tolima's population, creating a reference in this less studied population. On the other side, the study discuss the better outcomes in patients taken to myocardial bypass with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. And the association between dead and certain postoperative complications.

Properties for Thermally Conductive Interfaces with Wide Band Gap Materials.

The goal of this study is to determine how bulk vibrational properties and interfacial structure affect thermal transport at interfaces in wide band gap semiconductor systems. Time-domain thermoreflectance measurements of thermal conductance G are reported for interfaces between nitride metals and group IV (diamond, SiC, Si, and Ge) and group III-V (AlN, GaN, and cubic BN) materials. Group IV and group III-V semiconductors have systematic differences in vibrational properties. Similarly, HfN and TiN are also vibrationally distinct from each other. Therefore, comparing G of interfaces formed from these materials provides a systematic test of how vibrational similarity between two materials affects interfacial transport. For HfN interfaces, we observe conductances between 140 and 300 MW m-2 K-1, whereas conductances between 200 and 800 MW m-2 K-1 are observed for TiN interfaces. TiN forms exceptionally conductive interfaces with GaN, AlN, and diamond, that is, G > 400 MW m-2 K-1. Surprisingly, interfaces formed between vibrationally similar and dissimilar materials are similarly conductive. Thus, vibrational similarity between two materials is not a necessary requirement for high G. Instead, the time-domain thermoreflectance experiment (TDTR) data, an analysis of bulk vibrational properties, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) suggest that G depends on two other material properties, namely, the bulk phonon properties of the vibrationally softer of the two materials and the interfacial structure. To determine how G depends on interfacial structure, TDTR and TEM measurements were conducted on a series of TiN/AlN samples prepared in different ways. Interfacial disorder at a TiN/AlN interface adds a thermal resistance equivalent to ∼1 nm of amorphous material. Our findings improve fundamental understanding of what material properties are most important for thermally conductive interfaces. They also provide benchmarks for the thermal conductance of interfaces with wide band gap semiconductors.

Early-stage multi-cancer detection using an extracellular vesicle protein-based blood test.

Background: Detecting cancer at early stages significantly increases patient survival rates. Because lethal solid tumors often produce few symptoms before progressing to advanced, metastatic disease, diagnosis frequently occurs when surgical resection is no longer curative. One promising approach to detect early-stage, curable cancers uses biomarkers present in circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs). To explore the feasibility of this approach, we developed an EV-based blood biomarker classifier from EV protein profiles to detect stages I and II pancreatic, ovarian, and bladder cancer. Methods: Utilizing an alternating current electrokinetics (ACE) platform to purify EVs from plasma, we use multi-marker EV-protein measurements to develop a machine learning algorithm that can discriminate cancer cases from controls. The ACE isolation method requires small sample volumes, and the streamlined process permits integration into high-throughput workflows. Results: In this case-control pilot study, comparison of 139 pathologically confirmed stage I and II cancer cases representing pancreatic, ovarian, or bladder patients against 184 control subjects yields an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.95 (95% CI: 0.92 to 0.97), with sensitivity of 71.2% (95% CI: 63.2 to 78.1) at 99.5% (97.0 to 99.9) specificity. Sensitivity is similar at both early stages [stage I: 70.5% (60.2 to 79.0) and stage II: 72.5% (59.1 to 82.9)]. Detection of stage I cancer reaches 95.5% in pancreatic, 74.4% in ovarian (73.1% in Stage IA) and 43.8% in bladder cancer. Conclusions: This work demonstrates that an EV-based, multi-cancer test has potential clinical value for early cancer detection and warrants future expanded studies involving prospective cohorts with multi-year follow-up.

Accuracy and comparison of two rapid multiplex PCR tests for gastroenteritis pathogens: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The primary aim is to provide a summary of evidence for the diagnostic accuracies of multiplex PCR gastrointestinal (GI) panels-BioFire FilmArray and Luminex xTAG on the detection of gastroenteritis pathogens. The secondary aim is to compare the performance of these GI panels head to head. METHODS: A comprehensive search up to 1 December 2019 was conducted on PubMed, Embase, Ovid Medline and Web of Science for studies that used FilmArray or Luminex xTAG Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel (GPP) for diagnosis of acute gastroenteritis. A summary of diagnostic accuracies for the 16 pathogens were calculated by comparing the GI panels to the current gold standards (conventional standard microbiology techniques such as culture or PCR for bacteria, PCR or enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for viruses, microscopy or EIA for parasite). Hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) curve analysis, pretest and post-test probabilities were used for estimating the pathogen detection performance. RESULTS: A total of 11 studies with 7085 stool samples were eligible for analysis. Multiplex PCRs demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy, with specificity ≧0.98 and area under the ROC curve (AUROC) ≧0.97 for all the pathogens except for Yersinia enterocolitica (AUROC 0.91). The FilmArray panel demonstrated a higher sensitivity than xTAG GPP for most of the pathogens with the exception of Rotavirus A (xTAG GPP and FilmArray were both 0.93). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first meta-analysis that is a head-to-head comparison examining the performance of the novel multiplex PCR-based tests Luminex xTAG GPP and FilmArray GI panel in detecting each pathogen. Point estimates calculated from eligible studies showed that both GI panels are highly accurate and may provide important diagnostic information for early identification of gastroenteritis. In addition, although FilmArray has higher sensitivity and post-test probability than xTAG GPP for most of the pathogens, how this will translate to a clinical setting remains unclear.

PPARα/RXRα downregulates amino acid catabolism in the liver via interaction with HNF4α promoting its proteasomal degradation.

The preservation of body proteins is essential to guarantee their functions in organisms. Therefore, the utilization of amino acids as energy substrates is regulated by a precise fine-tuned mechanism. Recent evidence suggests that the transcription factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α) are involved in this regulatory mechanism. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine how these transcription factors interact to regulate the expression of amino acid catabolism genes. In vivo studies using PPARα-knockout mice (Pparα-null) fed different amounts of dietary protein showed that in the absence of PPARα, there was a significant increase in HNF4α abundance in the liver, which corresponded with an increase in amino acid catabolizing enzyme (AACE) expression and the generation of increased amounts of postprandial urea. Moreover, this effect was proportional to the increase in dietary protein consumed. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that HNF4α can bind to the promoter of AACE serine dehydratase (SDS), an effect that was potentiated by dietary protein in the Pparα-null mice. The mechanistic studies revealed that the presence of retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRα) is essential to repress HNF4α activity in the presence of PPARα, and this interaction accelerates HNF4α degradation via the proteasome pathway. These results showed that PPARα can downregulate liver amino acid catabolism in the presence of RXRα by inhibiting HNF4α activity.

Mesozooplankton taurine production and prokaryotic uptake in the northern Adriatic Sea.

Dissolved free taurine, an important osmolyte in phytoplankton and metazoans, has been shown to be a significant carbon and energy source for prokaryotes in the North Atlantic throughout the water column. However, the extent of the coupling between taurine production and consumption over a seasonal cycle has not been examined yet. We determined taurine production by abundant crustacean zooplankton and its role as a carbon and energy source for several prokaryotic taxa in the northern Adriatic Sea over a seasonal cycle. Taurine concentrations were generally in the low nanomolar range, reaching a maximum of 22 nmol L-1 in fall during a Pseudonitzschia bloom and coinciding with the highest zooplankton taurine release rates. Taurine accounted for up to 5% of the carbon, 11% of the nitrogen, and up to 71% of the sulfur requirements of heterotrophic prokaryotes. Members of the Roseobacter clade, Alteromonas, Thaumarchaeota, and Euryarchaeota exhibited higher cell-specific taurine assimilation rates than SAR11 cells. However, cell-specific taurine and leucine assimilation were highly variable in all taxa, suggesting species and/or ecotype specific utilization patterns of taurine and dissolved free amino acids. Copepods were able to cover the bulk taurine requirements of the prokaryotic communities in fall and winter and partly in the spring-summer period. Overall, our study emphasizes the significance of taurine as a carbon and energy source for the prokaryotic community in the northern Adriatic Sea and the importance of crustacean zooplankton as a significant source of taurine and other organic compounds for the heterotrophic prokaryotic community.

Efecto en la transfusión posoperatoria de pacientes con artroplastia de rodilla mediante dosis única de ácido tranexámico preoperatorio entre los años 2010 - 2016 en una institución hospitalaria / Effect in the postoperative transfusion of patients with knee arthroplasty using a single dose of preoperative tranexamic acid in the HUCSR year 2010 to 2016

Introducción La transfusión posoperatoria es una complicación frecuente de la artroplastia de rodilla. El ácido tranexámico (AT) ha demostrado eficacia en disminuir la probabilidad de sangrado, sin embargo, son pocos los estudios en cuanto al tema. Los objetivos del estudio son: 1) Comparar el efecto de dosis única de 1g de ácido tranexámico preoperatoria en la tasa de transfusión en pacientes a quienes se realizó artroplastia de rodilla entre enero de 2010 y diciembre de 2016. 2) Caracterizar población de pacientes a quienes se realizó artroplastia de rodilla. 3) Determinar tasa de transfusión sanguínea en grupos de estudio. 4) Determinar factores de riesgo para transfusión sanguínea en pacientes con artroplastia de rodilla. Materiales y Metodos Estudio observacional descriptivo de tipo corte transversal analítico retrospectivo. Resultados Tasa de transfusión en grupo sin AT=15,2%; en grupo con AT=1,2%. La sangre perdida y el tiempo quirúrgico no presentaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos (p>0,05). Se consideran factores de riesgo: anticoagulación (OR 3,52; IC95% 1,28-9,65), insuficiencia renal crónica (OR 5,91; IC95% 1,11-31,27) y artritis reumatoidea (OR 55,83; IC95% 18,34-169,91). Discusión Según regresión logística, la cantidad de sangre perdida y administración del AT pueden predecir con un 97.5% de acierto la probabilidad de transfusión ante presencia de artritis reumatoide. La pérdida sanguínea mayor a 400 cc aumenta significativamente la probabilidad de transfusión cuando no se administra AT. El uso de AT preoperatorio es efectivo en reducir la tasa de transfusión sanguínea en pacientes a quienes se realiza ATR. Nivel de Evidencia: III

Background Postoperative transfusion is a common complication of knee arthroplasty. Tranexamic acid has shown efficacy in reducing the probability of bleeding, however, there are few studies on the subject. The aims of the study are: 1) To compare the effect of a single dose of 1g of preoperative tranexamic acid on the transfusion rate in patients who underwent knee arthroplasty between January 2010 and December 2016. 2) Characterize the population of patients who underwent knee arthroplasty. 3) Determine blood transfusion rate in study groups. 4) Determine risk factors for blood transfusion in patients with knee arthroplasty. Methods A descriptive observational study of a retrospective analytical cross section type was performed. Results Group transfusion rate without TA=15.2%, group transfusion rate with TA=1.2%. The blood loss and the surgical time did not show statistically significant differences between the groups (p>0.05). The following are considered risk factors: anticoagulation (OR: 3.52; 95%CI 1.28-9.65), chronic renal failure (OR: 5.91; 95%CI 1.11-31.27) and rheumatoid arthritis (OR: 55.83; 95%CI 18.34-169.91). Discussion According to logistic regression, the amount of blood lost and administration of the TA can predict with a 97.5% accuracy the probability of transfusion in the presence of rheumatoid arthritis. Blood loss greater than 400 cc significantly increases the probability of transfusion when TA is not administered. The use of preoperative TA is effective in reducing the rate of blood transfusion in patients who undergo ATR Evidence Level: III

Estudio comparativo de equipos INR capilar "point of care" versus INR venoso, en pacientes en tratamiento con antagonistas de vitamina K / Comparison of point of care capillary international normalized ratio (INR) with INR measured in venous samples

Background: INR is used to monitor the treatment with vitamin K antagonists. A strategy to reduce waiting times for sampling is to measure INR in a capillary sample using a portable point of care (POC) type coagulometer. Aim: To evaluate the correlation of CoaguChek Pro II™, Xprecia™ and microINR™ with venous INR measured at the clinical laboratory and their ease of use. Materials and Methods: Patients provided capillary and venous blood samples for parallel tests comparing Xprecia™ Stride with CoaguChek Pro II™ and with venous INR, microINR™ with CoaguChek Pro IITM and with venous INR. The devices' ease of use was assessed surveying the sampling staff. Results: The three tested devices had good correlation coefficients with venous INR: CoaguChek Pro IITM 0.953 and 0.962; Xprecia™ of 0.912 and microINR™ of 0.932. The correlation coefficient of Xprecia™ with CoaguChek Pro IITM was 0.937 and microINR™ with CoaguChek Pro IITM was 0.976. Conclusions: CoaguChek Pro IITM, Xprecia™ and microINR™ results had a good correlation coefficient with INR measured at the laboratory. Our results indicate that, in the hands of trained users, POC-type coagulometers are reliable and acceptable for routine use in anticoagulant treatment control.