[Double conventional doses of streptokinase in a massive pulmonary thromboembolism with a free-floating thrombus in the right atrium]. / Doble dosis de estreptocinasa en tromboembolismo pulmonar masivo con trombo flotante libre en la aurícula derecha.

We present a case of severe thromboembolism, with right ventricular dysfunction, high vasoactive drug requirements, sustained shock and a free-floating thrombus in right atrium. Hemodynamic and clinical picture as well as the echocardiographic image were solved after intravenous infusions of two complete doses of streptokinase, separated by an interval of 72 hours.

[Comparison between electrocardiographic test with dobutamine and exercise stress testing on coronary risk stratification]. / Valor del test de dobutamina comparado con la ergometría en la evaluación de riesgo coronario.

The exercise testing is still the most common test used to stratify the patients's risk of new events following an acute myocardial infarction, but about 20 to 40% of the patients can not perform it appropriately. Since the electrocardiographic test with dobutamine has proved to be easy and safe, our aim was to evaluate its capacity to predict the results of the exercise testing on patients after an acute myocardial infarction. A total of 210 patients (average of age 60.5+/-11.7 years old and 23.3% females) recovering from a first uncomplicated myocardial infarction, were consecutively included. An electrocardiographic test with dobutamine was performed during the fifth day of admission, and an exercise test during the sixth. The development of chest pain and/or a descending ST segment > or = 1 mm during a test qualified it as positive for ischemia. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of both tests were determinated, as well as the congruence on their results, a p-value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significative. Whereas 91 patients achieved a positive result on the electrocardiographic dobutamine tests, 54 patients were positive during exercise. On the other hand, both tests came up positive in 49 patients, and negative in 114 patients. The hemodynamic variables were similar during both tests, except in those patients with negative results with both methods, who developed a higher maximal arterial pressure and double product during exercise. Accordingly, the electrocardiographic dobutamine test showed a sensivity 90.17%, a specificity 73%, positive and negative predictive values 54% and 95.8%, respectively, to predict the results of the exercise testing, with a Kappa value of 0.52. In conclusion, the electrocardiographic dobutamine test showed not only to predict the results of the exercise testing adequately with a high negative predictive value, but also to be safe, a useful and simple diagnostic tool for the evaluation of patients after an acute myocardial infarction.

Doble dosis de estreptocinasa en tromboembolismo pulmonar masivo con trombo flotante libre en la auricula derecha / double conventional doses of streptokinase in a massive pulmonary thromboembolism with a free-floating thrombus in the right atrium

Presentamos el caso de una paciente con tromboembolismo pulmonar grave, disfunción ventricular derecha y shock sostenido, con altos requerimientos de drogas vasoactivas, con un trombo flotante en aurícula derecha, cuya situación hemodinámica y clínica, así como la imagen ecocardiográfica fueron resueltas mediante la infusión endovenosa de dos dosis completas de estreptocinasa, separadas por un intervalo de 72 horas.

Doble dosis de estreptocinasa en tromboembolismo pulmonar masivo con trombo flotante libre en la auricula derecha / double conventional doses of streptokinase in a massive pulmonary thromboembolism with a free-floating thrombus in the right atrium

Presentamos el caso de una paciente con tromboembolismo pulmonar grave, disfunción ventricular derecha y shock sostenido, con altos requerimientos de drogas vasoactivas, con un trombo flotante en aurícula derecha, cuya situación hemodinámica y clínica, así como la imagen ecocardiográfica fueron resueltas mediante la infusión endovenosa de dos dosis completas de estreptocinasa, separadas por un intervalo de 72 horas.(AU)

Doble dosis de estreptocinasa en tromboembolismo pulmonar masivo con trombo flotante libre en la aurícula derecha. / [Double conventional doses of streptokinase in a massive pulmonary thromboembolism with a free-floating thrombus in the right atrium]

We present a case of severe thromboembolism, with right ventricular dysfunction, high vasoactive drug requirements, sustained shock and a free-floating thrombus in right atrium. Hemodynamic and clinical picture as well as the echocardiographic image were solved after intravenous infusions of two complete doses of streptokinase, separated by an interval of 72 hours.

Comparison of dobutamine electrocardiographic stress test and exercise test in two different groups of patients with unstable angina

Exercise testing is a well known means of evaluating patients with unstable angina, but in recent years, alternative methods have been proposed. We prospectively compared standard exercise testing with dobutamine electrocardiographic stress testing for patients who admitted with a diagnosis of unstable angina. A total of 43 patients were studied, divided into two different groups, according to the presence (group A n = 26) or absence (group B n = 17) of a previous history of coronary artery disease and/or electrocardiographic changes compatible with ischemia on admission. Dobutamine electrocardiographic stress testing was performed in a standard manner at 3 + 1 days after admission in group A and at 16 + 8 hours after admission in group B. Exercise testing was performed, on average 5 + 1 days following the event in group A and 2 days after admission in group B. Agreement between both tests was observed in 39 (91 percent) cases, Kappa value: 0.81. The dobutamine test predicted the result of the exercise test with a sensitivity of 79 percent (95 percent CL 54-90), and a specificity of 100 percent (95 percent CL 86-100), with a positive predictive value of 100 percent and a negative predictive value of 86 percent. It can be concluded that dobutamine electrocardiographic stress testing is an objective and reliable procedure that accurately predicts the results of standard exercise testing in patients with a diagnosis of unstable angina. It this result were confirmed with a greater number of patients, it would be a good option for definitive diagnosis and risk stratification, in addition to being inexpensive and easy to perform. It can also be particularly useful for patients who cannot perform exercise. (AU)

Comparison of dobutamine electrocardiographic stress test and exercise test in two different groups of patients with unstable angina

Exercise testing is a well known means of evaluating patients with unstable angina, but in recent years, alternative methods have been proposed. We prospectively compared standard exercise testing with dobutamine electrocardiographic stress testing for patients who admitted with a diagnosis of unstable angina. A total of 43 patients were studied, divided into two different groups, according to the presence (group A n = 26) or absence (group B n = 17) of a previous history of coronary artery disease and/or electrocardiographic changes compatible with ischemia on admission. Dobutamine electrocardiographic stress testing was performed in a standard manner at 3 + 1 days after admission in group A and at 16 + 8 hours after admission in group B. Exercise testing was performed, on average 5 + 1 days following the event in group A and 2 days after admission in group B. Agreement between both tests was observed in 39 (91 percent) cases, Kappa value: 0.81. The dobutamine test predicted the result of the exercise test with a sensitivity of 79 percent (95 percent CL 54-90), and a specificity of 100 percent (95 percent CL 86-100), with a positive predictive value of 100 percent and a negative predictive value of 86 percent. It can be concluded that dobutamine electrocardiographic stress testing is an objective and reliable procedure that accurately predicts the results of standard exercise testing in patients with a diagnosis of unstable angina. It this result were confirmed with a greater number of patients, it would be a good option for definitive diagnosis and risk stratification, in addition to being inexpensive and easy to perform. It can also be particularly useful for patients who cannot perform exercise.

Endocarditis infecciosa en la República Argentina (Estudio E.I.R.A.): resultados generales / Infective endocarditis in Argentina: general results

Se describen 294 episodios de endocarditis infecciosa en 285 pacientes con predominio del sexo masculino y edad promedio de 54,1 años. El 55,5 por ciento tenía cardiopatía subyacente y en el 63,3 por ciento se encontró un evento predisponente. La signosintomatología resultó inespecífica y el tiempo promedio previo al diagnóstico fue de 33 ñ 34 días. En el 83 por ciento de los casos se visualizaron vegetaciones por eco. El 30 por ciento de los pacientes presentó insuficiencia cardíaca severa. El compromiso izquierdo se observó en 232 casos (39 por ciento aórticos, 29 por ciento mitrales y 11 por ciento mitroaórticos); la tricúspide estuvo comprometida en 40 oportunidades y la pulmonar en 3 (14,8 por ciento). La clasificación de Duke presentó mayor sensibilidad diagnóstica