Echocardiogram by apical-subcostal protocol in prone position during invasive mechanical ventilation in cardiovascular intensive care unit.

AIMS: To evaluate the feasibility of a transthoracic echocardiogram using an apical-subcostal protocol in invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and prone position. METHODS: Prospective study of adults who required a prone position during IMV. A pillow was placed only under the left hemithorax in the prone position to elevate and ease the apical and subcostal windows. A critical care cardiologist (prone group) acquired and evaluated the images using the apical-subcostal protocol. Besides, we used ambulatory echocardiograms performed as a comparative group (supine group). RESULTS: 86 patients were included, 43 in the prone and 43 in the supine. In the prone group, the indication to perform an echocardiogram was hemodynamic monitoring. All patients were ventilated with protective parameters, and the mean end-expiratory pressure was 10.6 cmH2O. The protocol was performed entirely in 42 of 43 patients in the prone group because one patient did not have any acoustic window. In the 43 patients in the prone group analyzed and compared to the supine group, global biventricular function was assessed in 97.7% (p = 1.0), severe heart valve disease in 88.4% (p = 0.055), ruled out of the presence of pulmonary hypertension in 76.7% (p = 0.80), pericardial effusion in 93% (p = 0.12), and volume status by inferior vena cava in 93% (p = 0.48). Comparing prone versus supine position, a statistical difference was found when evaluating the left ventricle apical 2-chamber view (65.1 versus 100%, p < 0.01) and its segmental function (53.4 versus 100%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The echocardiogram using an apical-subcostal protocol is feasible in patients in the IMV and prone position.

[Invasive mucormycosis during COVID-19 infection. Report of two cases]. / Mucormicosis invasora en pacientes con COVID-19: reporte de 2 casos.

COVID-19 disease is associated with a significant number of opportunistic infections, including invasive fungal infections such as mucormycosis. The prevalence of the latter is rare, estimated to be between 0.005 and 1.7 per million inhabitants. Risk factors include hematological diseases, Diabetes Mellitus with poor metabolic control, solid organ transplantation, neutropenia, and prolonged administration of systemic corticosteroids. We report two males aged 60 and 75 years with pulmonary and tracheobronchial invasive mucormycosis, respectively. Both patients had a deficient metabolic control of their diabetes as a predisposing risk factor added to severe COVID-19 infection. High suspicion and early diagnosis are essential for prompt treatment, especially considering the associated high morbidity and mortality of this fungal infection.

[Endomyocardial biopsy in current practice: Technical Aspects, Indications and complications]. / Biopsia endomiocárdica en la práctica actual: Aspectos técnicos, indicaciones y complicaciones.

Endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) is an invasive procedure and a diagnostic tool used mainly on the follow-up of post-heart transplant rejection in the past years. Currently, it has an important role in the diagnosis of non-ischemic cardiomyopathies. EMB is frequently performed through a venous access to enter the right ventricle. Diagnostic performance has improved with advances in pathology analysis. Its complications risk, close to 1% in high-volume interventional centers, can be justified considering the potential benefit of an accurate diagnosis and prognosis.

Chronic angina secondary to Takayasu arteritis. Report of one case.

Chronic coronary syndromes are usually considered uncommon in young women, related to slower progression of atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, have atypical clinical presentations, and experience less diagnostic investigation. Non-atherosclerotic causes of coronary artery disease should be considered in young women experiencing angina. We report a 25-year-old woman who consulted for five months of moderate exertion angina. Physical examination revealed a right carotid bruit and asymmetrical upper extremity peripheral pulses. Initial work-up and imaging allowed to diagnose aortitis with bilateral coronary ostial stenosis secondary to Takayasu's arteritis. The patient experienced an apparent clinical response to initial medical therapy. However, follow-up evaluation revealed persistence of significant ischemia and requirement for myocardial revascularization. A percutaneous coronary intervention was performed.

[Cardiovascular complications in COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care units in Chilean hospitals]. / Complicaciones cardiovasculares en pacientes COVID-19 hospitalizados en Unidades de Pacientes Críticos en Chile. Registro COVICAR.

BACKGROUND: Patients with a cardiovascular (CV) history may be at greater risk of becoming ill and die due to SARS-CoV-2. AIM: To assess the incidence of CV complications in COVID-19 patients, the type of complication, and their association with CV history. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The clinical course of 1,314 patients with COVID-19 admitted consecutively to critical care units of 10 Chilean hospitals was registered between April and August of 2020. RESULTS: The median age of patients was 59 years and 66% were men. One hundred-four (8%) had a CV history, namely heart failure (HF) in 53 (4.1%), coronary heart disease in 50 (3.8 %), and atrial fibrillation in 36 (2.7 %). There were CV complications in 359 patients (27.3%). The most common were venous thrombosis in 10.7% and arrhythmias in 10.5%, HF in 7.2%, type 2 acute myocardial infarction in 4.2%, arterial thrombosis in 2.0% and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in 1.6%. When adjusted by age, sex and risk factors, only HF (Odds ratio (OR) = 7.16; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 3.96-12.92) and ACS (OR = 5.44; 95% CI, 1.50-19.82) were significantly associated with CV history. There was no association with arrhythmias, type 2 acute myocardial infarction, arterial or venous thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a history of CV disease are at greater risk of suffering HF and ACS when hospitalized due to COVID-19. Arrhythmias, type 2 AMI, and arterial or venous thrombosis occur with the same frequency in patients with or without CV history, suggesting that these complications depend on inflammatory phenomena related to the infection.

Consequences of COVID-19 pandemic on myocardial infarction reperfusion therapy and prognosis.

Background The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic affected the prompt diagnosis and treatment of Acute myocardial infarction (AMI). AIM: To characterize the clinical profile of patients with AMI during the COVID-19 pandemic, comparing them with a historical cohort. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A case-control study of 96 patients with AMI transferred to a high-volume percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) hospital between March and July 2020, and a historical cohort of 269 patients transferred during the same period in 2019. RESULTS: When comparing patients transferred during the pandemic with those of the historical cohort, the former were younger (63 ± 12 vs 68 ± 12 years, p < 0.01), had a higher frequency of hypertension (66 vs 45%, p < 0.01) and of smoking (40% vs 25%, p < 0.01). Also, during COVID-19 outbreak a higher proportion of patients had ST-elevation AMI consulting > 12 hours from the onset of symptoms (44 vs 0%, p < 0.01), a higher median door-to-device time (4 vs 3 hours, p < 0.01), a higher use of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (97 vs 71%, p < 0.01), and higher frequencies of cardiogenic shock (20 vs 4%, p < 0.01) and mechanical complications (10% vs 2%, p < 0.01). Patients during COVID pandemic had a higher thirty-day overall (20 vs 1.4%, p < 0.01) and cardiovascular mortality (13 vs 1%, p < 0.01). During the outbreak, 40% of patients had positive COVID-19 status, which was a predictor for thirty-day overall mortality (Risk ratio 2.90; 95% confidence intervals 1.14-7.36). CONCLUSIONS: During the pandemic patients with AMI exhibited delays in consultations and treatment, higher morbidity, and increased mortality. COVID-19 positivity was associated to worse thirty-day overall survival.

Peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for periprocedural Cardiogenic shock during interventional cardiology.

BACKGROUND: Cardiogenic shock (CS) is uncommon in the cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) among patients undergoing coronary angiography. Periprocedural CS is more frequent in high-risk patients and in technically demanding procedures. AIM: To describe the clinical outcomes of patients who underwent peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (pVA-ECMO) for CS associated with interventional cardiology procedures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Review of clinical records of seven patients treated between January 2014 and October 2018. RESULTS: pVA-ECMO was implanted within 6 hours of the interventional cardiology procedure. All patients had coronary artery disease and one of them also had symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. One patient entered the CCL in cardiac arrest. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed in all patients; four patients underwent an emergency procedure and five patients experienced PCI complications. One patient undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement suffered acute severe aortic regurgitation. An intra-aortic balloon pump was inserted at the CCL in five patients. Six patients experienced cardiac arrest. Mean SAVE score was -4.3 and baseline lactate 55 mg/dl. pVA-ECMO mean duration was 5 ± 4 days. Survival after both hospital discharge and 12 months of follow-up was 85.7% Regarding vascular access complications, we observed one access site hematoma and one episode of cannulation site bleeding requiring surgical repair. CONCLUSIONS: pVA-ECMO should be considered in patients with periprocedural CS as a bridge to recovery. Its use was associated with improved clinical outcomes in this series.

[Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary artery disease. Diagnostic value of intravascular imaging and cardiac resonance]. / Infarto agudo de miocardio sin enfermedad coronaria ateroesclerótica obstructiva: utilidad de las imágenes intravasculares y resonancia cardíaca en su diagnóstico.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary artery disease (MINOCA) is common. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and intravascular imaging (IVI) may be useful for establishing its etiology. AIM: To describe a population with MINOCA and its multi-image assessment using IVI or CMR. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Review of medical records, imaging and functional studies of patients with MINOCA treated in three different clinical centers between 2015 and 2019. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients with MINOCA and IVI were included. Seventy eight percent were women, 46% had hypertension, 32% smoked and 32% had dyslipidemia. At wall motion assessment, 46% presented apical ballooning pattern. In 36% of patients IVI identified lesions that explained the cause of MINOCA, namely plaque disruption (PD) in 18%, spontaneous coronary dissection in 11% and a thrombus without PD in 7%. Forty-six percent of patients had uncomplicated atherosclerotic plaques, and 36% had no pathological findings. CMR was performed in 50% of patients, identifying in all a diagnostic pattern. In nine cases it was compatible with stress cardiomyopathy, three cases had a myocarditis and two cases had transmural infarctions. PD and transmural late gadolinium enhancement were observed in 23% of patients with apical ballooning. Patients with a pattern of myocarditis did not have acute pathological findings at IVI. After a mean follow-up of 16.4±11.4 months, 3 patients with PD died. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with MINOCA, there was a predominance of female gender with low cardiovascular risk factor load. The multi-image assessment allowed greater precision for etiological diagnosis of MINOCA. Apical ballooning was not pathognomonic for stress cardiomyopathy. PD was associated with mortality.

Safety and Efficacy of the Intravenous Infusion of Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Patients With Heart Failure: A Phase 1/2 Randomized Controlled Trial (RIMECARD Trial [Randomized Clinical Trial of Intravenous Infusion Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Cardiopathy]).

RATIONALE: Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSC) are easily accessible and expanded in vitro, possess distinct properties, and improve myocardial remodeling and function in experimental models of cardiovascular disease. Although bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells have been previously assessed for their therapeutic potential in individuals with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction, no clinical trial has evaluated intravenous infusion of UC-MSCs in these patients. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the safety and efficacy of the intravenous infusion of UC-MSC in patients with chronic stable heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. METHODS AND RESULTS: Patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction under optimal medical treatment were randomized to intravenous infusion of allogenic UC-MSCs (Cellistem, Cells for Cells S.A., Santiago, Chile; 1×106 cells/kg) or placebo (n=15 per group). UC-MSCs in vitro, compared with bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, displayed a 55-fold increase in the expression of hepatocyte growth factor, known to be involved in myogenesis, cell migration, and immunoregulation. UC-MSC-treated patients presented no adverse events related to the cell infusion, and none of the patients tested at 0, 15, and 90 days presented alloantibodies to the UC-MSCs (n=7). Only the UC-MSC-treated group exhibited significant improvements in left ventricular ejection fraction at 3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up assessed both through transthoracic echocardiography (P=0.0167 versus baseline) and cardiac MRI (P=0.025 versus baseline). Echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction change from baseline to month 12 differed significantly between groups (+7.07±6.22% versus +1.85±5.60%; P=0.028). In addition, at all follow-up time points, UC-MSC-treated patients displayed improvements of New York Heart Association functional class (P=0.0167 versus baseline) and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (P<0.05 versus baseline). At study completion, groups did not differ in mortality, heart failure admissions, arrhythmias, or incident malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous infusion of UC-MSC was safe in this group of patients with stable heart failure and reduced ejection fraction under optimal medical treatment. Improvements in left ventricular function, functional status, and quality of life were observed in patients treated with UC-MSCs. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01739777. Unique identifier: NCT01739777.

[Proportion of patients with heart failure in a specialized clinic eligible for novel therapies]. / Pacientes elegibles para las nuevas terapias de la insuficiencia cardíaca en un policlínico especializado.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacological treatment improves survival in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. The use of sacubutril/valsartan and ivabradine has been recently approved and incorporated in the latest guidelines. AIM: To identify candidates eligible for these therapies among patients treated in a heart failure clinic, considering the inclusion criteria for the PARADIGM-HF and SHIFT trials. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study on 158 patients aged 62 ± 11 years (67% male) with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction, with at least three months of follow-up and without decompensation. The percentage of patients complying for the inclusion criteria for the PARADIGM-HF y SHIFT trials was determined. RESULTS: In 37%, the etiology of heart failure was ischemic, 49% were in functional class I, their ejection fraction was 33 ± 11% and their median Pro-brain natriuretic peptide was 800 pg/mL. Ninety five percent were treated with vasodilators, 97% with beta-blockers and 82% with aldosterone antagonists. Using PARADIGM-HF and SHIFT criteria, 11 patients (7%) were eligible for sacubitril / valsartan and 21 patients (13.3%) for ivabradine. Among the main causes of non-eligibility for sacubitril / valsartan were being functional class I (48.7%) and not achieving a stable dose of enalapril ≥ 20 mg / day or losartan ≥ 100 mg / day (24.7%). In the case of ivabradine, apart from those in functional class I, the absence of sinus rhythm and a heart rate < 70 / min when receiving a maximal tolerated dose of beta-blockers, were present in 22%. CONCLUSIONS: A low percentage of our patients were eligible for these therapies. Among the causes that explain these results were clinical stability, a high percentage of patients in functional class I and being in a disease modifying treatment.

Management of Single Uncomplicated Dental Extractions and Postoperative Bleeding Evaluation in Patients With Factor V Deficiency: A Local Antihemorrhagic Approach.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to analyze the management of single dental extractions and postoperative bleeding in patients with a diagnosis of factor V deficiency. A careful evaluation of each case will allow the team to categorize the risk and operate safely, minimizing the incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications. If necessary, the oral-maxillofacial surgeon can choose to do so in collaboration with the hematologist on a case-by-case basis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present retrospective study included 5 patients with mild congenital factor V deficiency who had undergone at least 1 dental extraction. Mouth rinse with tranexamic acid, nonresorbable sutures, and gelatin sponge packed in the alveolar socket were used to obtain hemostasis. No systemic therapies, such as fresh frozen plasma, platelet concentrate, or recombinant activated factor VII, were administered. RESULTS: Twenty-five teeth were extracted. The factor V plasma levels ranged from 14.1 to 22.4%. Local antihemorrhagic treatments resulted in good hemostasis. No hemorrhagic complications or intraoperative or postoperative major bleeding was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Dental extractions appear to be safe procedures for patients with mild factor V deficiency when a bleeding risk assessment has been performed in conjunction with a hematologist and an appropriate treatment protocol is followed. Our treatment protocol was found to be effective and well tolerated by all the patients.

[Characteristics, management, and outcomes of illicit drug consumers with acute myocardial infarction]. / Características, manejo y evolución intrahospitalaria de usuarios de drogas ilícitas con infarto agudo del miocardio.

BACKGROUND: Consumption of illicit drugs (ID) has been associated with an increased risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). There is limited national evidence about the impact of substance use over the clinical presentation, management and outcomes of AMI patients. AIM: To describe the prevalence of ID consumption in patients within the Chilean Registry of Myocardial Infarction (GEMI), comparing clinical characteristics, management and outcome according to consumption status. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We reviewed data from the GEMI registry between 2001 and 2013, identifying 18,048 patients with AMI. The sample was stratified according to presence or absence of previous ID consumption, comparing different demographic and clinical variables between groups. RESULTS: Two hundred eighty five patients (1.6%) had history of ID consumption (cocaine in 66%, cannabis in 35% and central nervous system stimulants in 24.0%). Compared with non-users, ID consumers were younger, predominantly male and had a lower prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, except for tobacco smoking (86.3% and 42.5% respectively, p < 0.01). Among consumers, there was a higher percentage of ST segment elevation (85.2% and 67.8% respectively, p < 0.01) and anterior wall AMI (59.9 and 49.5% respectively, p = 0.01). Additionally, they had a higher rate of primary angioplasty (48.8% and 25.5% respectively, p < 0.01). There was no difference in hospital mortality between groups when stratified by age. CONCLUSIONS: A low percentage of patients with AMI had a previous history of ID consumption in our national setting. These patients were younger and had a greater frequency of ST segment elevation AMI, which probably determined a more invasive management.

Epstein-Barr virus associated peri-implantitis: a split-mouth study.

OBJECTIVES: Herpesviral-bacterial synergism may play a potential role in periodontitis and peri-implantitis (PI) etiopathogenesis. PI lesions can worsen depending on specific microbial challenge and host susceptibility. This cross-sectional split-mouth study aimed to substantiate herpesviral-bacterial co-infection in PI patients and assess associations with periodontopathogen salivary contamination. METHODS: PCR-based identification was performed on 23 patients presenting PI and contralateral healthy implants, and compared to unstimulated whole saliva. Clinical evaluation included probing depths, bleeding on probing, and suppuration. Radiographs were assessed for the presence of lamina dura and bone loss. Three sample sites per patient were tested: PI lesions, healthy implant sulci, and saliva. Quantitative PCR evaluated Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) copy counts. Significance of group comparisons for binary-dependent variables, within-subjects designs, was determined by McNemar's chi-square test. Risk analysis was evaluated through odds ratios (OR). RESULTS: PI lesions were 14.2 (P = 0.001; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 1.6-124.1) and 3 times (P = 0.03; 95 % CI, 0.7-11.9) more likely to harbor EBV than healthy implants and saliva, respectively. EBV positive predictive value was 90 %. PI was associated with absence of lamina dura and higher periodontopathogen proportions. Saliva sampling showed high agreement with PI bacterial detection (89-100 % rate) but not with EBV (44.4 %). The OR of PI lesions harboring Treponema denticola or Tannerella forsythia was 6.79 (P = 0.007; 95 % CI, 1.8-25.0) and 3.3 (P < 0.0001; 95 % CI, 0.3-34.3) times higher than healthy implants, respectively. Saliva of patients with PI was 5.6 times more likely to be contaminated with Prevotella nigrescens than healthy peri-implant sulci (P = 0.002). PI lesions were 1.92 times more likely to harbor Prevotella nigrescens than healthy implants (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: EBV is a potential candidate in peri-implantitis etiopathogenesis. Saliva PCR analysis is useful in predicting peri-implantitis-specific bacterial infection but not EBV or CMV. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Herpesviral-bacterial synergism may favor ongoing microbial challenge in peri-implant disease and exacerbate its progression. EBV infection may explain non-responsive to treatment PI. Peri-implantitis individuals may benefit from antiviral therapy.

[Long-term results of intracoronary transplantation of autologous bone marrow cells in dilated cardiomyopathy]. / Resultados a largo plazo del trasplante intracoronario de células mononucleares de médula ósea autólogas en pacientes con cardiopatía dilatada de diversa etiología.

BACKGROUND: Intracoronary delivery of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells is an interesting therapeutic promise for patients with heart failure of different etiologies. AIM: To evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of this therapy in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy of different etiologies under optimal medical treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective, open-label, controlled clinical trial. Of 23 consecutive patients, 12 were assigned to autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell intracoronary transplantation, receiving a mean dose of 8.19 ± 4.43 x 10(6) CD34+ cells. Mortality, cardiovascular readmissions and cancer incidence rate, changes in functional capacity, quality of life questionnaires and echocardiographic measures from baseline, were assessed at long-term follow-up (37.7 ± 9.7 months) in patients receiving or not the cells. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in mortality, cardiovascular readmissions or cancer incidence rate amongst groups. An improvement in functional class and quality of life questionnaires in the transplanted group was observed (p < 0.01). The treated group showed a non-significant increase in left ventricular ejection fraction at long-term follow-up (from 26.75 ± 4.85% to 34.90 ± 8.57%, p = 0.059 compared to baseline). There were no changes in left ventricular volumes. We observed no improvement of these variables in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Intracoronary transplantation of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells is feasible and safe in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy of diverse etiologies. This therapy was associated to persistent improvements in functional class and quality of life. There was also a non-significant long-term improvement of left ventricular function.

[HIV/AIDS patients in a Critical Care Unit: The experience of a general hospital in a developing country]. / Pacientes con infección por VIH/SIDA en una Unidad de Pacientes Críticos: La experiencia de un hospital general en un país en desarrollo.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Despite general availability of HAART in Chile, admissions of HIV/AIDS patients to Intensive-Intermediate Care Units (IICU) are still happening, and a characterization of patient's profile, mortality and potentially avoidable admissions is necessary. METHODS: Observational retrospective study in one general hospital in Chile of HIV/AIDS patients admitted to IICU during 9 years. RESULTS: During 2005-2013, 32 patients were admitted to IICU, with 87,5% in AIDS stage, only 53,1% knew his/her condition, 43,8% were receiving HAART and 16.6% chemoprophylaxis for opportunistic infections, A CD4 count < 200/µL was registered in 75,9% of patients. Most admissions were driven by infectious conditions (84,4%) and 48,1% developed septic shock, IICU hospitalizations were motivated by respiratory failure, neurologic compromise, sepsis or a mixture of them (87,5%), By univariate analysis, admissions by respiratory failure were associated to no HAART, oral candidiasis or CD4 < 250/µL (p < 0.01). Eight patients died during their first hospitalization (25%) and other 5 in the following month after discharge. Death during hospitalization was significantly associated to vasoactive drug use ≥ 7 days (OR 16.5; IC95 2.1-128 p < 0.01). In multivariate analysis, APACHE score ≥ 18 was associated with death during hospitalization of after discharge (OR 3,3 IC95 1,1-10; p < 0,05), Four patients (12,5%) had potentially avoidable admissions. CONCLUSIONS: Despite HAART availability in Chile, hospitalizations of patients with HIV/AIDS are still happening, affecting those that either are unaware of his/her condition, are not receiving HAART and/or chemoprophylaxis. These admissions generate premature deaths and happen even after discharge in severely ill patients.

Anabolic steroids affect human periodontal health and microbiota.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate periodontal microbiological differences between systemically healthy nonsmoker males taking anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) and non-AAS users and to find associations between disease severity and AAS use. METHODS: Ninety-two men practicing bodybuilding were included in the study. They were divided into AAS users and a matched control nonuser group and subgrouped based on their most severe periodontal condition. Pooled subgingival samples from each individual were cultured to evaluate specific periodontopathogen infection. RESULTS: AAS users had significantly higher prevalence of severe periodontitis. AAS users had greater gingival inflammation and clinical attachment loss of ≥ 3 mm than nonusers (odds ratio (OR) = 2.4; p = 0.09; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.8-6.4). AAS users were 4.9 times more likely to be infected with Prevotella intermedia than AAS nonusers (OR = 4.9; p = 0.003; 95 % CI 1.6-14.7). The OR of presenting subgingival Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans was 8.2 times higher in AAS users (OR = 8.2; p = 0.03; 95 % CI 0.9-70.8). AAS users were 5.6 times more likely to present subgingival Candida spp. than nonusers (OR = 5.6; p = 0.02; 95 % CI 1.1-27.1). AAS users were 14.8 times more likely to present subgingival Candida parapsilosis than nonusers (OR = 14.8; p < 0.0001; 95 % CI 3.1-69.2). The likelihood of AAS users presenting subgingival Candida tropicalis was 4.3 times higher than nonusers (OR = 4.3; p = 0.03; 95 % CI 1.1-16.9). A. actinomycetemcomitans was mostly isolated in individuals with severe periodontitis and was associated with subgingival Porphyromonas gingivalis, P. intermedia, and Candida spp. CONCLUSIONS: AAS use may increase the risk for severe periodontitis and may cause a subgingival selection of certain Candida species. Specific periodontopathogens, such as Candida dubliniensis and Candida albicans, seem to be negatively affected by AAS use. The higher risk for disease progression in AAS users may be explained by the significantly higher proportions of A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. gingivalis, P. intermedia, and Candida species as compared to controls. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Data on the influence of AAS on subgingival periodontopathogens and disease progression are scarce. Higher proportions of specific periodontopathogens are plausible in AAS users. AAS users had a higher prevalence of severe periodontitis, gingival inflammation, and clinical attachment loss. Men taking AAS are at greater risk of periodontitis and specific periodontopathogen infection.

[Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists and therapeutic strategies of cardiovascular damage]. / Aplicaciones y proyecciones de los antagonistas del receptor de mineralocorticoides en el tratamiento de patologías cardiovasculares.

In recent years, much attention has focused on the role of aldosterone and mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs) in the pathophysiology of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Patients with primary aldosteronism, in whom angiotensin II levels are low, have a higher incidence of cardiovascular complications than patients with essential hypertension. The Randomized Aldactone Evaluation Study (RALES) demonstrated that adding a non-specific MR antagonist, spironolactone, to a standard therapy that included angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, loop diuretics, and digoxin, significantly reduced morbidity and mortality in patients with moderate to severe heart failure. Similarly, the Eplerenone Post-Acute Myocardial Infarction Heart Failure Efficacy and Survival Study (EPHESUS) showed that the addition of a selective MR antagonist (ARM), eplerenone, to an optimal medical therapy reduces morbidity and mortality among patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure. These data suggest that aldosterone induces cardiac injury through activation of MRs and support the notion that MR blockade has beneficial effects on aldosterone-dependent cardiac injury, through mechanisms that cannot be simply explained by hemodynamic changes. Although, MRA are highly effective in patients with heart failure, the risk of hyperkalemia should not be overlooked. Serious hyperkalemia events were reported in some MRA clinical trials; however these risks can be mitigated through appropriate patient selection, dose selection, patient education, monitoring, and follow-up.

[Stem cells for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. An update]. / Estado actual de la terapia con células madre en el tratamiento de las cardiopatías.

Available medical therapy is unable to completely prevent or revert the pathological cardiac remodeling secondary to ischemia or other injuries, which is responsible for the development of heart failure. Regenerative medicine through stem cells had an explosive development in the cardiovascular area during the past decade. Stem cells possess the capacity to regenerate, repair or substitute damaged tissue, allowing the reestablishment of its function. Stem cells can also modulate apoptosis, angiogenesis, fibrosis and inflammation, favoring the endogenous regenerative process initiated by the damaged tissue. These capacities have been corroborated in several animal models of cardiovascular diseases with positive results. In humans, therapies with bone marrow mononuclear stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells and cardiac stem cells are safe. Most randomized clinical trials in patients with myocardial infarction or cardiomyopathies of different etiologies have reported benefits on ventricular function, quality of life and even over mortality of treated patients. This article reviews the state of art of stem cell therapy in cardiovascular diseases, focusing on the most common cellular types used in patients with acute myocardial infarction and chronic cardiomyopathies of different etiologies.

Implant treatment planning: endodontic considerations.

Implants are a predictable and effective method for replacing missing teeth. Some clinicians have advocated extraction and replacement of compromised but treatable teeth on the assumption that implants will outperform endodontically and/or periodontally treated teeth. However, evidence shows that conventional therapy is as effective as implant treatment. With data on implants developing complications long term and a lack of predictable treatment for peri-implantitis, retaining and restoring the natural dentition should be the first choice when possible.

The Cortical Shield for Facial Bone Reconstruction of Severely Damaged Sockets with Simultaneous Implant Placement: A Feasibility Clinical Trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a novel proof-of-principle technique of simultaneous bone regeneration and implant placement in severely damaged sockets. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study consisted of patients who required a single implant and presented with severe facial bone loss. Individuals were randomly assigned to either the immediate or delayed implant placement protocol. Socket reconstruction and simultaneous implant placement were performed through periosteal-guided bone regeneration. Implants were encased in a customized shield of autogenous cortical bone harvested from an adjacent site. Re-entry surgery was performed at 12 to 18 weeks. Peri-implant tissues and pink esthetics were assessed following established success criteria. RESULTS: Of the 34 patients treated, 28 patients-consisting of 15 women and 13 men with an average age of 50.8 ± 4.5 years-continued to the final follow-up. All individuals showed new facial cortical bone regeneration at second-stage implant surgery after an average healing time of 14.9 ± 2.2 weeks (range: 12 to 18 weeks). Implants remained stable after loading. Success rates were 100% at 12 months. Mean pink esthetic score (PES) was 7.8 ± 1.2 (range: 6 to 9 on a scale of 0 to 10). Linear regression analysis showed that provisionalization and attachment loss are independent risk factors affecting pink esthetics (P < .01). Mild and moderate/severe attachment loss decrease pink esthetic scores by 0.9 and 1.7 points, respectively (95% CI: 0.2-1.5; P < .01). The use of provisional restorations improves pink esthetic scores by 1.6 points (95% CI: 0.8-2.4; P < .001). A PES > 7 was four and five times more likely to be expected for delay and immediate implants, respectively, if the implant had a provisional restoration delivered post-second-stage (RR = 4 to 5; 95% CI: 1-31; P = .07; P = .02). Cramér's V test showed a strong association between lack of implant provisionals and low pink esthetic scores (≤ 7, value = 0.7; P = .02). Facial implant transparency at follow-up was absent, and all implants had a band of keratinized tissue > 2 mm. CONCLUSION: Facial bone regeneration and simultaneous implant placement is feasible in severely damaged sockets through periosteal-guided bone regeneration after a short healing period following immediate or delayed protocols. The assisted regenerated intrasocket bone allows for functional implant stability. Adjacent tooth attachment loss and lack of implant provisionalization negatively impacts pink esthetics. The proposed approach decreases costs, morbidity, and treatment duration and eliminates the need for multi-stage approaches.