A randomised controlled feasibility trial of a clinical protocol to manage hypotension during major non-cardiac surgery.

Intra-operative hypotension is a risk factor for postoperative morbidity and mortality. Minimally invasive monitors that derive other haemodynamic parameters, such as stroke volume, may better inform the management of hypotension. As a prelude to a multicentre randomised controlled trial, we conducted a single-centre feasibility trial of a protocol to treat hypotension as informed by minimally invasive haemodynamic monitoring during non-cardiac surgery. We recruited adults aged ≥40 years with cardiovascular risk factors who underwent non-cardiac surgery requiring invasive arterial pressure monitoring. Participants were randomly allocated to usual care, or a clinical protocol informed by an arterial waveform contour analysis monitor. Participants, outcome assessors, clinicians outside operating theatres and analysts were blinded to treatment allocation. Feasibility was evaluated based on: consent rate; recruitment rate; structured feedback from anaesthesia providers; and between-group differences in blood pressure, processes-of-care and outcomes. The consent rate among eligible patients was 33%, with 30 participants randomly allocated to the protocol and 30 to usual care. Anaesthesia providers rated the protocol to be feasible and acceptable. The protocol was associated with reduced fluid balance and hypotension exposure in the peri-operative setting. Postoperative complications included: acute myocardial injury in 18 (30%); acute kidney injury in 17 (28%); and surgical site infection in 7 (12%). The severity of complications was rated as moderate or severe in 25 (42%) participants. In summary, this single-centre study confirmed the feasibility of a multicentre trial to assess the efficacy and safety of a physiologically guided treatment protocol for intra-operative hypotension based on minimally invasive haemodynamic monitors.

Benefica chirurgia. A global surgery project focusing on hernia surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of international health cooperation projects is to alleviate the deficiencies in the area of health in low resource settings. Hernia surgery is a procedure that is well suited to these missions, due to its low morbidity, the fact that it can be performed on an outpatient basis, and the improvement in quality of life that it provides. OBJECTIVE: To describe the results of Benefica Chirurgia (BC), a Spanish non-profit humanitarian association in hernia pathology. METHODS: Five one-week surgical campaigns were carried out in Ecuador between 2015 and 2019, involving anesthetists, general and pediatric surgeons. Surgical and medical equipment was provided and transported by BC. ASA I/II patients underwent surgery. RESULTS: Surgery was performed on 240 patients with hernia pathology on 27 days. Sixty-three per cent of patients were male and the mean age was 48.2 years (range: 1-83). Hernia location was inguinal in 113 patients, umbilical in 101, and other in 26. The anesthetic technique used was spinal in 185 patients (77.1%), local plus intravenous sedation in 31 (12.9%), and general in 24 (10%). The surgical technique used was hernioplasty in 191 patients, herniorrhaphy in 31, incisional hernia repair in 15 and herniotomy in three. Surgery was performed on an outpatient basis in 98.4% of cases. Morbidity was 2%. Long-term postoperative evaluation is very complex. CONCLUSION: These campaigns make a significant contribution to health in low resource settings and provide great personal satisfaction for those involved. Standards achieved in the immediate postoperative period were similar to those obtained at the surgeons' centers in Europe. However, it is difficult to establish the rates of recurrence and chronic pain.

Association Between Three-Dimensional Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Area and Gradients After Myectomy in Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVE: Determine whether the intraoperative three-dimensional left ventricular outflow tract cross-sectional area may be inversely correlated with pressure gradients as a determinant of surgical success after septal myectomy in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients. DESIGN: Perioperative data were obtained by retrospective review. SETTING: Toronto General Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada, a tertiary hospital. PARTICIPANTS: The study comprised 67 patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. INTERVENTIONS: Transthoracic and intraoperative transesophageal echocardiographic assessment of pressure gradients. Transesophageal measurement of the three-dimensional left ventricular outflow tract cross-sectional area. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The smallest left ventricular outflow tract area increased on average 1.883 cm2 (98.3%) after septal myectomy. There was a significant correlation between the increase in the area and the transesophageal pressure gradients (r = -0.32; p = 0.01) after myectomy, but none with postoperative transthoracic gradients at rest (r = -0.10; p = 0.42). Postoperative transesophageal and transthoracic gradients were significantly correlated (r = 0.26; p = 0.04). The best risk factors to predict high residual gradients were preoperative transesophageal gradient >97 mmHg, postoperative transesophageal area <3.16 cm2, and moderate or more residual transesophageal mitral regurgitation (specificity 89%, 81%, and 78%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional left ventricular outflow tract area measurements with transesophageal echocardiography after myectomy correlated fairly well with postoperative transesophageal pressure gradients. Patients with residual transthoracic elevated gradients after surgery at follow-up had a smaller transesophageal area and higher transesophageal pressure gradients immediately after the procedure. However, transesophageal pressure gradients after myectomy correlated poorly with follow-up transthoracic gradients at rest.

[Endoscopy-assisted surgery of the sellar region]. / Cirugía de la región selar asistida por endoscopia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the usefulness of endoscopic assisted surgery of pituitary adenomas in transesphenoidal surgery, and in surgery of craneopharyngiomas using either minimally invasive approaches to the cranial base or transventricular approaches. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present our preliminary experience in eleven patients operated of sellar region tumor by endoscopic assisted resection: 6 pituitary adenoma via transesphenoidal approach, 4 craneopharyngiomas 3 through supraciliar approach and 1 by transcortical transventricular approach, and 1 suprasellar cyst. RESULTS: By using the 30 degrees optic the use of endoscope allowed complete resection, confirmed by postoperative MRI, of all six pituitary macroadenomas providing control of resection of supraselar remnants. Complete resection was achieved in three out of four craneopharyngiomas, 2 of them being recurrences. Three were operated by using a supraciliar approach to the cranial base and in one case transcortical transventricular resection of a recurrent intraventricular craneopharyngioma was performed. In the case with partial resection remnant were let in place due to the close adherence to peritumoral structures. In the three craneopharyngiomas operated via supraciliar approach endoscope allowed better control of inferior aspect of ipsilateral optic nerve and internal carotid artery. In the case of intraventricular craneopharyngioma, the use of 30 degrees endoscope provide control of resection of the anterior part of third ventricle through the foramen of Monro with no additional opening. The suprasellar cyst was fenestrated. CONCLUSIONS: No matter which approach is going to be used in the resection of sellar tumors, endoscopy can play a crucial role in achieve complete resection with minimal morbidity by using minimally invasive procedures.

Treatment of chronic he1patitis C genotype 1 with peginterferon-alpha2a (40 kDa) plus ribavirin under routine clinical practice in Spain: early prediction of sustained virological response rate.

BACKGROUND: Sustained virological response rates of up to 52% have been obtained with peginterferon alpha2a (40 kDa) plus ribavirin in patients suffering from chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 in randomized-controlled trials. AIM: To assess early virological response and its clinical utility in predicting an sustained virological response in patients suffering from chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 in routine clinical practice in Spain. METHODS: Treatment-naïve patients received pegylated interferon alpha2a (40 kDa) 180 microg/week plus ribavirin 1000/1200 mg/day for 48 weeks, and were followed for a further 24 weeks. Overall, 475 patients received at least one dose of medication and were included in the efficacy population. RESULTS: The overall sustained virological response rate was 48%. Of those with week 12 virological data, 83% had an early virological response. The negative predictive value of an early virological response was 93%. CONCLUSION: If sustained virological response is the goal, a treatment-decision based on a 12-week evaluation during routine clinical practice is feasible.

[Association between cerebral infarction and malignant glioma]. / Asociación de infarto cerebral y glioma maligno.

INTRODUCTION: It is very rare for cerebral infarction to be the first symptom of an intracranial tumour. Only three cases have been reported in which cerebral infarction is thought to have been caused by the arterial compromise triggered by incipient high grade gliomas that are not yet visible in radiological tests. CASE REPORT: A 46-year-old male with no relevant medical history or cardiovascular risk factors who presented with acute hemiplegia on the right-hand side of the body and a significantly impaired level of consciousness. Computerised axial tomography of the brain showed a left frontal malignant ischemic infarct that exerted an important mass effect. The patient was submitted to a left-side frontoparietal decompressive craniectomy. Post-operative progress was good and the patient even recovered his normal level of consciousness, although he was left with right hemiparesis and conduction dysphasia. Seven months after the craniectomy the patient experienced a progressive deterioration with symptoms of endocranial hypertension. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed the presence of a highly malignant tumour in the previously infarcted territory. A histological study of the excised lesion showed it to be a glioblastoma multiforme. CONCLUSIONS: The proximity in time, as well as the identical location of the two lesions, led us to think that the glioblastoma, although not yet visible in radiological explorations, affected a branch of the middle cerebral artery and gave rise to the infarct. Therefore, in the presence of a cerebral infarct in patients with no risk factors for suffering a brain vascular pathology, it is advisable to carry out a radiological follow-up so as to be able to diagnose a possible lesion due to a tumour.

Pediatric brain tumors: loss of heterozygosity at 17p and TP53 gene mutations.

Cytogenetic and molecular analyses of primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) of the central nervous system (CNS) have demonstrated material losses of 17p, the region that contains the TP53 gene, as the most frequent abnormality. Mutations in the TP53 gene are, however, very rare in these tumors. These findings strongly suggest that another, as yet unidentified, gene on 17p may be involved. We performed a search for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on 17p by microsatellite markers on 26 childhood CNS tumors as well as TP53 gene mutations (exons 5-8) by single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis on 41 pediatric brain tumor samples of distinct histologic types. LOH was detected in 10 cases: 7 PNET, 2 astrocytomas, and 1 glioblastoma multiforme. In 4 of the PNETs the losses were limited to more distal markers. On the other hand, TP53 mutations were detected in 6 of 41 samples studied. Our results not only confirm the low penetrance of the TP53 gene on pediatric CNS tumors, but also provide further evidence of a putative tumor suppressor gene distal to TP53, between markers (D17S938, D17S926) and 17pter, specifically taking part in the development of PNET.

Preoperative treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms with tranexamic acid and monitoring of fibrinolytic activity.

The fibrinolytic activity in cerebrospinal fluid has been monitored by determination of levels of fibrin split products (FSP) in 23 patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms. In 20 of these 23, FSP was found in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), with levels ranging from 10 to 80 micrograms/ml. Eleven of the 23 patients were treated with 2 gm tranexamic acid daily. In these patients FSP was found in only two cases during the 2nd week, while in 12 untreated patients it was found in 10 cases. These results suggest that there exists a localized fibrinolytic activity, and monitoring the FSP levels in the CSF may be a simple and accurate method for controlling the efficiency of antifibrinolytic therapy. Thus, treatment could be begun with a lower dose, which could be increased later as deemed necessary from the results of careful monitoring.

Successful surgical treatment of an odontogenic ossified craniopharyngioma. Case report.

A large, highly ossified craniopharyngioma was diagnosed and surgically treated in a 2-year-old girl. About 20 teeth were macroscopically identified in the operative specimen, some of them totally developed, complete with crown and root. Pathological study established the diagnosis of craniopharyngioma with formation of teeth. Only five cases have been reported previously, and only one patient survived the operation. The patient is alive 3 years after surgical treatment. Radiotherapy was not used.

Giant arteriovenous fistula of the vein of Galen in early infancy treated successfully with surgery. Case report.

A giant arteriovenous fistula in a newborn infant was treated by surgical occlusion of the feeding vessels at 20 days of life. Congestive heart failure responded favorably to operative treatment. Because of persistent hydrocephalus, a shunt was inserted at 2 months of age. At 9 months of age, the child remained without signs of cardiac failure. Cerebral damage was manifested by a mild left hemiparesis. Successful surgical treatment of this unusual lesion in a neonate is exceptional.

Method to determine the authenticity of aroma of saffron (Crocus sativus L.).

A thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry technique was applied to 252 different Spanish saffron samples (from La Mancha and Teruel). The average safranal content made up of 60% of the volatile fraction of the saffron. All the chromatograms obtained showed an interval between 8 and 18 min (retention time of safranal +/- 5 min) in which the silhouette of the chromatographic peaks was similar in all the samples. Therefore this interval can be used as a "fingerprint." Two examples are given which demonstrate the ability to use this "fingerprint" to detect adulteration.

Migration of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt into lateral ventricle of an adult.

Migration of an entire ventriculo-peritoneal shunt into the lateral ventricle of an adult patient with chronic hydrocephalus is presented. The possible causes are reviewed.

[Research on prognostic factors in large-cell lymphomas]. / Investigación de factores pronósticos en linfomas de células grandes.

BACKGROUND: To carry out a study on the prognostic factors in large cell lymphomas (LCL) treated during the last decade and validate the international prognostic index (IPI). METHODS: One hundred twenty-four cases of newly diagnosed LCL, treated from 1978 to 1990, with a mean follow up of 27 months (1-142) were included in the study. The chemotherapy used was: CHOP (65%), ProMACE-CytaBOM (17%) and others (C-MOPP, MACOP-B). RESULTS: Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 71% of the cases and partial in 11%. Logistic analysis allowed the identification of three adverse factors to CR: Ann Arbor stage III, IV (p = 0.004; odds ratio, OR = 0.19), elevated tumoral load (p = 0.006; OR = 0.22) and age > or = 60 years (p = 0.02; OR = 0.31). Recurrence free survival (RFS) at 3 years was 67% (CI 95%; 55-79) with the median not having been achieved. Cox analysis allowed the identification to the ECOG > or = 2 scale as the only independent adverse factor (p = 0.0006; RR = 4.85) while Ann Arbor staging demonstrated marginal influence (p = 0.08). Global survival (GS) at 5 years was 45% (CI 95%; 35-55) with a median of 38 months. Multivariant analysis of independent adverse factors of GS were ECOG scale > or = 2 (p < 0.00001; RR = 6.07), Ann Arbor stage (p = 0.004; RR = 2.64) and hypoalbuminemia (p = 0.01; RR = 2.28). On inclusion of therapeutic response (TR) in the analysis, the factors chosen were absence of CR (p < 0.00001; RR = 9.58) and ECOG > or = 2 (p = 0.0004; RR = 4.24). CONCLUSIONS: Three variables evaluated at diagnosis, general state (ECOG), Ann Arbor stage and albumin, determined the prognosis in this series of large cell lymphoma. A prognostic model was designed from the same with three risk groups. The application of the international prognostic index to this series separated the patients into 4 groups of differentiated prognosis.

[Prevention of acute graft versus host disease using 3 prophylactic schemes]. / Prevención de la enfermedad injerto contra huésped aguda con tres esquemas profilácticos diferentes.

During 7 years 81 patients received an allogeneic bone marrow transplant (BMT) for several diseases. The prevention of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) was undertaken with methotrexate (MTX), MTX plus antilymphocytic gammaglobulin plus prednisone (MTX + ALT + P), and elimination of the T-lymphocytes of the donor's bone marrow with the monoclonal antibody CAMPATH-1. The actuarial survival of the patients who did not develop GVHD was significantly better than that of those who developed grade II-IV GVHD: 56% [95% confidence interval (CI) 39-71%] versus 10% (95% CI 3-25%) (p less than 0.0001). However, actuarial survival was similar in each of the three groups: MTX 35%, MTX + ALT + P 38%, and CAMPATH-1 43%. The incidence of GVH disease, when the sex of the donor and the receptor were different, was significantly higher than in cases where the donor and the receptor had the same sex: 45% (95% CI 31-58%) vs 15% (95% CI 8-28%) (p less than 0.005). By contrast, significant differences were not found between the three groups in the incidence of GVHD: MTX 36%, MTX + ALT + P 34%, and CAMPATH-1 20%. In patients with leukemia, a higher number of relapses occurred in the MTX group, because a higher number of patients in second or third complete remission (CR) or with active disease underwent transplantation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Infectious complications in bone marrow transplantation]. / Complicaciones infecciosas en el trasplante de medula ósea.

BACKGROUND: Initially, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the incidence and implicated organisms in the infections in patients receiving a bone marrow transplants (BMT). METHODS: 194 febrile episodes (FE) were evaluated in 115 patients having received a BMT between 1980 and 1987. The analysis was carried out at three different moments: during the period of most marked neutropenia (period I) to the 100th day after BMT (period II) and beyond the 100th day (period III). RESULTS: The unequivocal confirmation that FE was infective was found in 62% of cases (confirmation was microbiological in 46% and clinical in 16%), while 31% of FE were considered as possible infections and the remaining 7% as doubtful infections. The causative organisms were bacteria (73%), viruses (10%), fungi (8%), and combinations of them (polymicrobial infections) (9%). Gram negative and Gram positive organisms were more common, respectively, in period I and in periods II and III (p = 0.02). Bacteremia was the commonest cause of confirmed infection. The overall mortality rate due to infection was 18%. There was a remarkably high mortality from pneumonia (54%) and a low mortality in patients with sepsis (6%) (p less than 0.0001). The number of FE was lower in patients with autografts than those with allografts (p = 0.08). 33% of the FE in patients with allografts were coincident with acute or chronic graft-versus-host disease, and in two thirds of them infections was confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: Infection represents a major complication of BMT. The different antimicrobial treatments used in association with bone marrow grafting allowed us to control most FEs. Pneumonia was the most severe infective localization and the leading cause of death. Mortality rate due to sepsis was small.