Hyperkalemia in acute heart failure: Short term outcomes from the EAHFE registry.

OBJECTIVE: Both hyperkalemia (HK) and Acute Heart Failure (AHF) are associated with increased short-term mortality, and the management of either may exacerbate the other. As the relationship between HK and AHF is poorly described, our purpose was to determine the relationship between HK and short-term outcomes in Emergency Department (ED) AHF. METHODS: The EAHFE Registry enrolls all ED AHF patients from 45 Spanish ED and records in-hospital and post-discharge outcomes. Our primary outcome was all-cause in-hospital death, with secondary outcomes of prolonged hospitalization (>7 days) and 7-day post-discharge adverse events (ED revisit, hospitalization, or death). Associations between serum potassium (sK) and outcomes were explored using logistic regression by restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves, with sK =4.0 mEq/L as the reference, adjusting by age, sex, comorbidities, patient baseline status and chronic treatments. Interaction analyses were performed for the primary outcome. RESULTS: Of 13,606 ED AHF patients, the median (IQR) age was 83 (76-88) years, 54% were women, and the median (IQR) sK was 4.5 mEq/L (4.3-4.9) with a range of 4.0-9.9 mEq/L. In-hospital mortality was 7.7%, with prolonged hospitalization in 35.9%, and a 7-day post-discharge adverse event rate of 8.7%. Adjusted in-hospital mortality increased steadily from sK ≥4.8 (OR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.01-1.80) to sK = 9.9 (8.41, 3.60-19.6). Non-diabetics with elevated sK had higher odds of death, while chronic treatment with mineralocorticoid-receptor antagonists exhibited a mixed effect. Neither prolonged hospitalization nor post-discharge adverse events was associated with sK. CONCLUSION: In ED AHF, initial sK >4.8 mEq/L was independently associated with in-hospital mortality, suggesting that this cohort may benefit from aggressive HK treatment.

Timing of previous heart failure hospitalization as a prognostic factor for emergency department heart failure patients.

To investigate whether the timing of a previous hospital admission for acute heart failure (AHF) is a prognostic factor for AHF patients revisiting the emergency department (ED) in the subsequent 12-month follow-up. All ED AHF patients enrolled in the previously described EAHFE registry were stratified by the presence or absence of an AHF hospitalization admission in the prior 12 months. The primary outcome was 12-month all-cause mortality post ED visit. Secondary end points were hospital admission, prolonged hospitalization (> 7 days), mortality during hospitalization and a 90-day post-discharge adverse composite event (ACE) rate, defined as ED revisits due to AHF, hospitalizations due to AHF, or all-cause mortality. Outcomes were adjusted for baseline and AHF episode characteristics.Of 5,757 patients included, the median age was 84 years (IQR 77-88); 57% were women, and 3,759 (65.3%) had an AHF hospitalization in the previous 12 months. The 12-month mortality was 37% (41.7% vs. 28.3% p < 0.001), hospital admission was 76.1% (78.8% vs. 71.1% p < 0.001) ACE was 60.2% (65.1% vs. 50.5% p < 0.001). In the adjusted analysis, patients with AHF hospitalization in the prior 12 months had a higher mortality (HR = 1.41; 95% CI 1.27-1.56), 90-day ACE rate (HR = 1.45: 95% CI 1.32-1.59), and more hospital admissions (OR = 1.32; 95% CI 1.16-1.51), with shorter times since the previous hospitalization being related to the outcomes analyzed. One-year mortality, adverse events at 90 days, and readmission rates are increased in ED AHF patients previously admitted within the last 12 months.

[Analysis of the relationship between ambient air pollution and the severity of heart failure decompensations in two Spanish metropolises (Barcelona and Madrid)]. / Análisis de la relación entre la contaminación del aire ambiente y la gravedad de las descompensaciones por insuficiencia cardiaca en dos metrópolis españolas (Barcelona y Madrid).

OBJECTIVES: To analyze whether the high levels of air pollutants are related to a greater severity of decompensated heart failure (HF). METHOD: Patients diagnosed with decompensated HF in the emergency department of 4 hospitals in Barcelona and 3 in Madrid were included. Clinical data (age, sex, comorbidities, baseline functional status), atmospheric (temperature, atmospheric pressure) and pollutant data (SO2, NO2, CO, O3, PM10, PM2.5) were collected in the city on the day of emergency care. The severity of decompensation was estimated using 7-day mortality (primary indicator) and the need for hospitalization, in-hospital mortality, and prolonged hospitalization (secondary indicators). The association adjusted for clinical, atmospheric and city data between pollutant concentration and severity was investigated using linear regression (linearity assumption) and restricted cubic spline curves (no linearity assumption). RESULTS: A total of 5292 decompensations were included, with a median age of 83 years (IQR=76-88) and 56% women. The medians (IQR) of the daily pollutant averages were: SO2=2.5µg/m3 (1.4-7.0), NO2=43µg/m3 (34-57), CO=0.48mg/m3 (0.35-0.63), O3=35µg/m3 (25-48), PM10=22µg/m3 (15-31) and PM2.5=12µg/m3 (8-17). Mortality at 7 days was 3.9%, and hospitalization, in-hospital mortality, and prolonged hospitalization were 78.9, 6.9, and 47.5%, respectively. SO2 was the only pollutant that showed a linear association with the severity of decompensation, since each unit of increase implied an OR for the need for hospitalization of 1.04 (95% CI 1.01-1.08). The restricted cubic spline curves study also did not show clear associations between pollutants and severity, except for SO2 and hospitalization, with OR of 1.55 (95% CI 1.01-2.36) and 2.71 (95% CI 1.13-6.49) for concentrations of 15 and 24µg/m3, respectively, in relation to a reference concentration of 5µg/m3. CONCLUSION: Exposure to ambient air pollutants, in a medium to low concentration range, is generally not related to the severity of HF decompensations, and only SO2 may be associated with an increased need for hospitalization.

Impact of congestion and perfusion status in the emergency department on severity of decompensation and short-term prognosis in patients with acute heart failure.

AIMS: To assess whether symptoms/signs of congestion and perfusion in acute heart failure (AHF) evaluated at patient arrival to the emergency department (ED) can predict the severity of decompensation and short-term outcomes. METHODS AND RESULTS: We included patients from the Epidemiology of AHF Emergency Registry (EAHFE Registry). We registered seven clinical surrogates of congestion and five of hypoperfusion. Patients were grouped according to severity of congestion/hypoperfusion. We assessed the need for hospitalization, in-hospital all-cause mortality for patients needing hospitalization, and prolonged hospitalization for patients surviving the decompensation episode. Outcomes were adjusted for patient characteristics and the coexistence of congestion and hypoperfusion. We analysed 18 120 patients (median = 83 years, interquartile range = 76-88; women = 55.7%). Seventy-two per cent presented >2 signs/symptoms of congestion and 18% had at least 1 sign/symptom of hypoperfusion. Seventy-five per cent were hospitalized with in-hospital death in 9% and prolonged hospitalization in 47% discharged alive. The presence of congestion/hypoperfusion was independently associated with poorer outcomes. An increase in the number of signs/symptoms of congestion was associated with increased risk of hospitalization (P < 0.001) and prolonged stay (P = 0.011), but not mortality (P = 0.06). Increased signs/symptoms of hypoperfusion were associated with hospitalization (P < 0.001) and mortality (P < 0.001), but not prolonged stay (P = 0.227). In the combined model, including congestion and hypoperfusion, both had additive effects on hospitalization, in-hospital mortality was driven by hypoperfusion and no differences were observed for prolonged hospitalization. CONCLUSION: The presence of congestion/hypoperfusion at ED arrival is a simple clinical marker associated with a higher risk of severity/adverse short-term outcomes.

Evaluation of the effect of intravenous nitroglycerine on short-term survival of patients with acute heart failure according to congestion and perfusion status at emergency department arrival.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated if the phenotypic classification of acute heart failure (AHF) based on the number of signs/symptoms of congestion and hypoperfusion at emergency department (ED) arrival identifies subgroups in which intravenous (IV) nitroglycerine (NTG) use improves short-term survival. METHODS: We included consecutive AHF patients diagnosed in 45 Spanish EDs, who were grouped according to phenotype severity. The main outcome was 30-day all-cause death. Propensity scores (PS) for NTG use were generated using variables associated with death. Analysis of interaction was performed in subgroups of patients based on congestion, hypoperfusion, age, sex, coronary artery disease (CAD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and SBP. RESULTS: We analyzed 16 437 AHF patients (median = 83 years; women = 56%); 1882 received NTG (11.4%). In the whole cohort, the cumulative 30-day mortality in patients receiving NTG was higher (11.5% vs. 9.6%; unadjusted HR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.04-1.36), but not in the PS-matched cohorts (1698 pairs of patients; 11.5% vs. 10.5%; HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.90-1.35). Mortality was increased in NTG-treated patients with mild congestion (HR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.19-3.67), especially in those without hypoperfusion (HR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.24-5.10). Interaction analysis of the PS-matched cohorts confirmed detrimental effects of NTG use in less congested patients, whereas beneficial effects were only observed in patients with decreased LVEF (<50% subgroup: HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.37-0.92; ≥50% subgroup: HR, 1.30; 95% CI, 0.66-2.56; P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Phenotypical classification of AHF based on congestion/hypoperfusion at ED arrival does not identify subgroups of patients in whom IV-NTG would decrease mortality, although it could potentially be beneficial in those with LVEF of less than 50%. This hypothesis will have to be confirmed in the future. Conversely, our results suggest that IV-NTG may be harmful in patients with only mild clinical congestion.

Emergency department observation of patients with acute heart failure prior to hospital admission: impact on short-term prognosis. / Observación en urgencias previa a la hospitalización en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda: impacto sobre el pronóstico a corto plazo.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze whether short-term outcomes are affected when patients diagnosed with acute heart failure (AHF) spend time in an emergency department observation unit (EDOU) before hospital admission. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Baseline and emergency episode data were collected for patients diagnosed with AHF in the EDs of 15 Spanish hospitals. We analyzed crude and adjusted associations between EDOU stay and 30-day mortality (primary outcome) and in-hospital mortality and a prolonged hospital stay of more than 7 days (secondary outcomes). RESULTS: A total of 6597 patients with a median (interquartile range) age of 83 (76-88 years) were studied. Fifty-five percent were women. All were hospitalized for AHF (50% in internal medicine wards, 23% in cardiology, 11% in geriatrics, and 16 in other specialties. Of these patients, 3241 (49%) had had EDOU stays and 3350 (51%) had been admitted immediately, with no EDOU stay. Having an EDOU stay was associated with female sex, dementia or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, long-term treatment with certain drugs for heart failure, greater baseline deterioration in function, and a higher degree of decompensation. Patients in the EDOU group were more often admitted to an internal medicine ward and had shorter stays; cardiology, geriatric, and intensive care admissions were less likely to have had an EDOU stay. Overall, 30-day mortality was 12.6% (13.7% in the EDOU group and 11.4% in the no-EDOU group; P = .004). In-hospital mortality was 10.4% overall (EDOU, 11.1% and no-EDOU, 9.6%; P = .044). Prolonged hospitalization occurred in 50.0% (EDOU, 48.7% and no-EDOU, 51.2%; P = .046). After adjusting for between-group differences, the EDOU stay was not associated with 30-day mortality (hazard ratio, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.99-1.31). Odds ratios for associations between EDOU stay and in-hospital mortality and prolonged hospital stay, respectively, were 1.09 (95% CI, 0.92-1.29) and 0.91 (95% CI, 0.82-1.01). CONCLUSION: Although mortality higher in patients hospitalized for AHF who spend time in an EDO, the association seems to be accounted for by their worse baseline situation and the greater seriousness of the decompensation episode, not by time spent in the EDOU.

OBJETIVO: Analizar si la estancia en el área de observación de urgencias (AOU) de pacientes que han sido diagnosticados de insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA) y que deben ingresar está asociada con algún cambio en la evolución a corto plazo. METODO: Se recogieron datos basales y clínicos de pacientes diagnosticados de ICA en el servicio de urgencias de 15 hospitales españoles. Se analizó la asociación cruda y ajustada de la estancia en el AOU previa a la hospitalización con mortalidad a 30 días (objetivo primario) y con mortalidad intrahospitalaria e ingreso prolongado (> 7 días) (objetivos secundarios). RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 6.597 pacientes (mediana = 83 años, RIC = 76-88; mujeres = 55%) hospitalizados por ICA (50% en medicina interna, 23% en cardiología, 11% en geriatría y 16% en otros servicios); de ellos, 3.241 (49%) permanecieron en observación en urgencias (grupo AOU) y 3.350 (51%) hospitalizaron sin observación previa (grupo no-AOU). La observación en urgencias se asoció con ser mujer, tener demencia o enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica, recibir crónicamente fármacos específicos para insuficiencia cardiaca, mayor deterioro funcional basal y mayor gravedad de la descompensación. El grupo AOU más frecuentemente hospitalizó en medicina interna y corta estancia, y menos frecuentemente en cardiología, geriatría y cuidados intensivos. La mortalidad a 30 días fue del 12,6% (AOU = 13,7%, no-AOU = 11,4%, p = 0,004); la mortalidad intrahospitalaria fue del 10,4% (AOU = 11,1%, no-AOU = 9,6%, p = 0,044) y el ingreso prolongado del 50,0% (AOU = 48,7%, no-AOU = 51,2%, p = 0,046). Tras ajustar por las diferencias entre grupos, la estancia en observación en urgencias no se asoció con mortalidad a 30 días (HR = 1,14, IC 95% = 0,99-1,31), mortalidad intrahospitalaria (OR = 1,09, IC 95% = 0,92-1,29) o estancia prolongada (OR = 0,91, IC 95% = 0,82-1,01). CONCLUSIONES: Aunque los pacientes hospitalizados por ICA que permanecen en observación en urgencias presentan mayor mortalidad, esta asociación parece explicarse por su peor situación de base y la mayor gravedad del episodio de descompensación y no por su paso por el AOU.

Use of Saliva Swab for Detection of Influenza Virus in Patients Admitted to an Emergency Department.

Nasopharyngeal (NP) specimens are commonly used for the detection of influenza, but saliva swabs are easier to obtain and cause less discomfort to the patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of saliva swab specimens for the diagnosis of influenza compared with NP specimens. Influenza virus detection rate in saliva and NP swabs was compared in adult patients admitted to an emergency department from January to March 2020, using the Xpert Xpress Flu/respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) test. Cycle threshold (CT) values were evaluated in all the cases. Among the 82 patients recruited, 19 had an influenza-positive diagnostic test result (11 influenza A and 8 influenza B). Overall, the agreement between saliva and NP swabs results was 97.6% (80/82; κ = 0.929; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.832 to 1.0). There was no significant difference in the influenza detection rate between saliva swab and NP specimens (20.7% [17/82] versus 23.2% [19/82]; P = 0.5). There were only two discordant results (influenza B in an NP and false negative in a saliva sample). Manual inspection of the amplification curves showed that influenza RNA had been amplified in saliva with high CTs (CT of 40) that the test reported as a negative result. The overall sensitivity and specificity for saliva was 89.5% (73.0% to 100%) and 100% (99.2% to 100%), respectively. In all the cases, the same influenza virus (A/B) was detected. Median CT values were significantly lower in NP (31; interquartile range [IQR], 21.0 to 32.0) than in saliva (33; IQR, 23.0 to 38.0) (P = 0.001) specimens. Saliva swabs have high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of influenza virus by the Xpert Xpress Flu/RSV test and a high overall agreement and CT correlation with NP specimens. Saliva swab is a feasible specimen type for influenza testing that might be easily self-collected with minimal equipment and discomfort. IMPORTANCE Early detection of influenza virus is important for guiding antiviral and antibacterial treatment for infection control and public health measures. We have observed that saliva swab specimens have high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of influenza by the Xpert Xpress Flu/respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) test and high overall agreement and CT correlation with nasopharyngeal specimens. Saliva swab may therefore be a feasible specimen type for influenza testing that can be easily self-collected with minimal equipment and discomfort.

Outcomes of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction discharged on treatment with neurohormonal antagonists after an episode of decompensation.

AIMS: To analyze the frequency with which patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) discharged after an acute heart failure (AHF) episode are treated with antineurohormonal drugs (ANHD), the variables related to ANHD prescription and their relationship with outcomes. METHODS: We included consecutive HFpEF patients (left ventricular ejection fraction ≥50%) discharged after an AHF episode from 45 Spanish hospitals whose chronic medications and treatment at discharge were available. Patients were classified according to whether they were discharged with or without ANHD, including beta-blockers (BB), renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system inhibitors (RAASi) and mineralcorticosteroid-receptor antagonists (MRA). Co-primary outcomes consisted of 1-year all-cause mortality and 90-day combined adverse event (revisit to emergency department -ED-, hospitalization due to AHF or all-cause death). Secondary outcomes were 90-day adverse events taken individually. Adjusted associations of ANHD treatment with outcomes were calculated. RESULTS: We analyzed 3,305 patients with HFpEF (median age: 83, 60% women), 2,312 (70%) discharged with ANHD. The ANHD most frequently prescribed was BB (45.8%). The 1-year mortality was 26.9% (adjusted HR for ANHD patients:1.17, 95%CI=0.98-1.38) and the 90-day combined adverse event was 54.4% (HR=1.14, 95%CI=0.99-1.31). ED revisit was significantly increased by ANHD (HR=1.15, 95%CI=1.01-1.32). MRA and BB were associated with worse results in some co-primary or secondary endpoints, while RAASi (alone) reduced 90-day hospitalization (HR=0.73, 98%CI=0.56-0.96). CONCLUSION: 70% of HFpEF patients are discharged with ANHD after an AHF episode. ANHD do not seem to reduce mortality or adverse events in HFpEF patients, only RAASi could provide some benefits, reducing the risk of hospitalization for AHF.

[Lemierre syndrome: several clinical features of "a forgotten disease"]. / Síndrome de Lemierre: distintas presentaciones clínicas de «una enfermedad olvidada¼

INTRODUCTION: Lemierre syndrome (LS) is considered as a forgotten disease since the beginning of Penicillin. The lack of use of beta-lactamase inhibitors antibiotics together with the increase in the use of macrolids or second-generation and third-generation cephalosporins for oropharyngeal processes has led to an increasing incidence. We propose to review all LS cases seen in an Emergency Department over the last 5 years. METHODS: Retrospective study of patients diagnosed as LS in the Emergency Department of Hospital general universitario Gregorio Marañón from 2004 to the present. Descriptive analysis of age, gender, clinical features, laboratory and radiological results, management and outcome. RESULTS: We had 6 patients with LS. 5 males. Median age: 25 years old. All with sore throat and pulmonary embolisms. 2 patients with negative blood cultures. 1 patient was admitted into ICU because of severe sepsis. One of the 6 developed acute renal failure, another one hemoptysis, and another a hydropneumothorax which was drained. All the patients were managed with antibiotics against anaerobes, carbapenems in 3 cases. Two patients did not receive anticoagulants, with no complications recorded. There were no deaths. CONCLUSION: LS still has a high morbidity, therefore it must be on mind in young people with febrile pharyngeal symptoms in order to start specific treatment as soon as possible to decrease complications. Carbapenems appears to be a good therapeutic choice.

[Patients' perception of quality of emergency department care for acute heart failure: the CALPERICA study]. / Calidad percibida por los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda respecto a la atención recibida en urgencias: estudio CALPERICA.

OBJECTIVES: To determine perception of quality of care for acute heart failure (AHF) of patients discharged from the emergency department in comparison with the perception of admitted patients; to explore the variables associated with perception of quality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective, cross-sectional case-control study in 7 emergency departments. Consecutive patients diagnosed with AHF were recruited to answer a telephone survey assessing their view of quality of physician care, nurse care, overall treatment, and degree of resolution of their problem in the emergency department. Discharged patients were also asked to state their level of agreement with the decision to send them home from the emergency department. The answers of patients who were discharged home were compared with patients who were admitted to the ward. The results were analyzed according to whether or not adverse events occurred within 30 days. RESULTS: A total of 1147 patients were enrolled and 1003 (87.4%) were interviewed; 253 of the patients (25.2%) were discharged home. We found no significant differences in any of the assessments (on physician or nurse care, overall treatment, or degree of resolution) between patients who were discharged home and those who were admitted. The mean (SD) overall satisfaction assessments (on a scale of 0 to 10) were 7.34 (1.38) and 7.38 (1.52), respectively, in the 2 groups (P=.66). Over 90% of those discharged home agreed with or strongly agreed with the decision. Evaluations were unrelated to whether or not adverse events occurred in the next 30 dyas. CONCLUSION: Patients with AHF have high opinions of the different components of care received in the emergency department, and their evaluations are unrelated to whether they were admitted or discharged home. Those discharged home agree with the decision and their opinion remains firm regardless of whether adverse events occur later.

OBJETIVO: Constatar la calidad percibida de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA) dados de alta desde urgencias, compararla con la de los ingresados, e investigar las variables asociadas con la calidad percibida. METODO: Estudio diseñado prospectivamente, transversal, tipo caso-control, realizado en 7 servicios de urgencias en pacientes consecutivamente diagnosticados de ICA que valoraron mediante encuesta telefónica la atención médica, atención enfermera, trato global y grado de resolución del problema en urgencias. También se solicitó el grado de acuerdo con la decisión de alta directa desde urgencias. Se compararon los pacientes dados de alta e ingresados, y se investigó si estos resultados diferían en función de la existencia de eventos adversos los 30 días siguientes. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 1.147 casos y se entrevistaron 1.003 (87,4%): 253 pacientes (25,2%) fueron dados de alta. No hubo diferencias significativas en la valoración que dieron a la asistencia médica, de enfermería, atención global y resolución del problema entre pacientes dados de alta e ingresados. La puntuación global (entre 0 y 10) fue de 7,34 (1,38) y 7,38 (1,52), respectivamente (p = 0,66). Más del 90% estuvieron de acuerdo o muy de acuerdo con la decisión de alta. No hubo diferencias de valoración en función de si habían existido acontecimientos adversos posteriores. CONCLUSIONES: Los pacientes con ICA califican bien los distintos componentes de la atención que reciben en urgencias, sin diferencias entre pacientes ingresados y dados de alta. Entre estos últimos, su grado de acuerdo con la decisión médica de alta es elevado y su valoración se mantiene estable indistintamente de si con posterioridad se producen eventos adversos.

Calidad percibida por los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda respecto a la atención recibida en urgencias: estudio CALPERICA / Patients’ perception of quality of emergency department care for acute heart failure: the CALPERICA study

Objetivo: Constatar la calidad percibida de los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca aguda (ICA) dados de alta desde urgencias, compararla con la de los ingresados, e investigar las variables asociadas con la calidad percibida. Método: Estudio diseñado prospectivamente, transversal, tipo caso-control, realizado en 7 servicios de urgencias en pacientes consecutivamente diagnosticados de ICA que valoraron mediante encuesta telefónica la atención médica, atención enfermera, trato global y grado de resolución del problema en urgencias. También se solicitó el grado de acuerdo con la decisión de alta directa desde urgencias. Se compararon los pacientes dados de alta e ingresados, y se investigó si estos resultados diferían en función de la existencia de eventos adversos los 30 días siguientes. Resultados: Se incluyeron 1.147 casos y se entrevistaron 1.003 (87,4%): 253 pacientes (25,2%) fueron dados de alta. No hubo diferencias significativas en la valoración que dieron a la asistencia médica, de enfermería, atención global y resolución del problema entre pacientes dados de alta e ingresados. La puntuación global (entre 0 y 10) fue de 7,34 (1,38) y 7,38 (1,52), respectivamente (p = 0,66). Más del 90% estuvieron de acuerdo o muy de acuerdo con la decisión de alta. No hubo diferencias de valoración en función de si habían existido acontecimientos adversos posteriores. Conclusiones: Los pacientes con ICA califican bien los distintos componentes de la atención que reciben en urgencias, sin diferencias entre pacientes ingresados y dados de alta. Entre estos últimos, su grado de acuerdo con la decisión médica de alta es elevado y su valoración se mantiene estable indistintamente de si con posterioridad se producen eventos adversos (AU)

Objectives: To determine perception of quality of care for acute heart failure (AHF) of patients discharged from the emergency department in comparison with the perception of admitted patients; to explore the variables associated with perception of quality. Methods: Prospective, cross-sectional case–control study in 7 emergency departments. Consecutive patients diagnosed with AHF were recruited to answer a telephone survey assessing their view of quality of physician c are, nurse care, overall treatment, and degree of resolution of their problem in the emergency department. Discharged patients were also asked to state their level of agreement with the decision to send them home from the emergency department. The answers of patients who were discharged home were compared with patients who were admitted to the ward. The results were analyzed according to whether or not adverse events occurred within 30 days. Results: A total of 1147 patients were enrolled and 1003 (87.4%) were interviewed; 253 of the patients (25.2%) were discharged home. We found no significant differences in any of the assessments (on physician or nurse care, overall treatment, or degree of resolution) between patients who were discharged home and those who were admitted. The mean (SD) overall satisfaction assessments (on a scale of 0 to 10) were 7.34 (1.38) and 7.38 (1.52), respectively, in the 2 groups (P=.66). Over 90% of those discharged home agreed with or strongly agreed with the decision. Evaluations were unrelated to whether or not adverse events occurred in the next 30 dyas. Conclusions: Patients with AHF have high opinions of the different components of care received in the emergency department, and their evaluations are unrelated to whether they were admitted or discharged home. Those discharged home agree with the decision and their opinion remains firm regardless of whether adverse events occur later (AU)

Síndrome de Lemierre: distintas presentaciones clínicas de «una enfermedad olvidada» / Lemierre syndrome: Several clinical features of “A forgotten disease”

Introducción El síndrome de Lemierre (SL) se considera una enfermedad olvidada tras el inicio de la penicilina. El menor uso de antibióticos inhibidores de beta-lactamasas junto con el incremento en el uso de macrólidos o cefalosporinas de segunda y tercera generación en los procesos orofaringeos ha condicionado un aumento en su incidencia. Nos propusimos revisar los casos de SL ingresados desde el servicio de urgencias en los últimos 5 años. Métodos Estudio retrospectivo de pacientes con SL ingresados desde el servicio de urgencias del hospital general universitario Gregorio Marañón, desde 2004 hasta el momento actual. Análisis descriptivo de edad, sexo, manifestaciones clínicas, resultados de laboratorio y de imagen, tratamiento y complicaciones. Resultados Se incluyen 6 pacientes con diagnóstico de SL. Cinco varones. Mediana de edad: 25 años. Todos ellos con foco orofaríngeo y embolismos pulmonares. En 2 pacientes los hemocultivos fueron estériles. Un paciente fue ingresado en UCI por sepsis grave. Uno de los 6 desarrolló insuficiencia renal aguda, otro hemoptisis y otro hidropioneumotórax que obligó a su drenaje. Todos fueron tratados con antibióticos frente a anaerobios, siendo carbapenemes en 3 de ellos. 2 pacientes no fueron anticoagulados, sin evidencia de complicaciones por este motivo. No se registraron fallecimientos. Conclusión El SL sigue presentado una elevada morbilidad por lo que debemos considerarlo en pacientes jóvenes con cuadros febriles orofaríngeos, para iniciar su tratamiento específico precozmente y disminuir sus complicaciones. Los carbapenemes representan una buena opción terapéutica (AU)

Introduction Lemierre syndrome (LS) is considered as a forgotten disease since the beginning of Penicillin. The lack of use of beta-lactamase inhibitors antibiotics together with the increase in the use of macrolids or second-generation and third-generation cephalosporins for oropharyngeal processes has led to an increasing incidence. We propose to review all LS cases seen in an Emergency Department over the last 5 years. Methods Retrospective study of patients diagnosed as LS in the Emergency Department of Hospital general universitario Gregorio Marañón from 2004 to the present. Descriptive analysis of age, gender, clinical features, laboratory and radiological results, management and outcome. Results We had 6 patients with LS. 5 males. Median age: 25 years old. All with sore throat and pulmonary embolisms. 2 patients with negative blood cultures. 1 patient was admitted into ICU because of severe sepsis. One of the 6 developed acute renal failure, another one hemoptysis, and another a hydropneumothorax which was drained. All the patients were managed with antibiotics against anaerobes, carbapenems in 3 cases. Two patients did not receive anticoagulants, with no complications recorded. There were no deaths.ConclusionLS still has a high morbidity, therefore it must be on mind in young people with febrile pharyngeal symptoms in order to start specific treatment as soon as possible to decrease complications. Carbapenems appears to be a good therapeutic choice (AU)