Aportación del bloque celular en el diagnóstico de adenopatías y masas mediastínicas o hiliares realizado por ecobroncoscopia

Background

Cell block material from puncture can be obtained with endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in many cases. The aim of this study was to analyse the value of additional information from cell blocks obtained with EBUS-TBNA samples from mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes and masses.

Methods

Review of pathology reports with a specific diagnosis obtained from EBUS-TBNA samples of mediastinal or hilar lesions, prospectively obtained over a two-year period. The generation of cell blocks from cytology needle samples, the contribution to morphological diagnosis, and the possible use of samples for immunohistochemistry were analysed.

Results

One hundred and twenty-nine samples corresponding to 110 patients were reviewed. The diagnosis was lung cancer in 81% of cases, extrapulmonary carcinoma in 10%, sarcoidosis in 4%, lymphoma in 2.7%, and tuberculosis in 0.9%. Cell blocks could be obtained in 72% of cases. Immunohistochemistry studies on the cell blocks were significantly easier to perform than on conventional smears (52.6% vs. 14%, P < .0001). In 4 cases, the cell block provided an exclusive morphological diagnosis (3 sarcoidosis and one metastasis from prostatic carcinoma) and in 3 carcinomas, subtype and origin could be identified. Exclusive diagnoses from the cell block were significantly more frequent in benign disease than in malignant disease (25% vs 0.9%, P = .002).

Conclusions

Cell blocks were obtained from 72% of EBUS-TBNA diagnostic procedures. The main contributions of cell blocks to pathology examinations were the possibility of carrying out immunohistochemical staining for the better classification of neoplasms, especially extrapulmonary metastatic tumours, and the improved diagnosis of benign lesions.     

Efectividad de la vacunación antigripal para evitar el ingreso hospitalario por agudización de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica

Introduction

The main objective was to determine the effectiveness of influenza vaccination in preventing hospitalization due to exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). One secondary objective was to estimate the prevalence of vaccination, and to describe the factors that were associated with being vaccinated.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted that included 1,323 patients diagnosed with COPD in the Health Centre of the Pla d’Urgell (Lleida, Spain). They were classified into two cohorts: cohort 1, patients vaccinated against seasonal influenza (campaign 2011/12), and cohort 2, non-vaccinated. The number of patients in both cohorts requiring hospital admission for exacerbation of the disease between the 12/01/2011 and the 03/15/2012 was quantified. Information about the variables of interest was recorded for each patient. A univariate and multivariate analysis was performed. The effectiveness of vaccination was calculated with the formula: E = (1 – OR) × 100. The ORs and their 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were determined by multivariate logistic regression models.

Results

Just over half (55.3%) of the patients had been vaccinated. Vaccinated patients were older and had more associated comorbidity. At the same time, they were less hospitalized (3.0% versus 8.9%; P = .001). The crude and adjusted effectiveness of influenza vaccination in this population subgroup was 68.4% (95%CI: 47.5-81.0) and 90.8 (95%CI: 96.8-88.2), respectively.

Conclusion

Influenza vaccination is effective in preventing hospitalization due to acute exacerbations in COPD patients. However, immunization coverage is not as high as desired. Designing programs to increase the rate of vaccination in this population would reduce the number of hospital admissions for COPD exacerbation.     

Elaboración de un score predictivo preoperatorio de coledocolitiasis

Introduction

Choledocholithiasis is the most common cause of obstructive jaundice and occurs in 5-10% of patients with cholelithiasis.

Objectives

To design a preoperative predictive score for choledocholithiasis.

Material and methods

A prospective study was carried out in 556 patients admitted to our department for biliary disease. Preoperative clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound variables were compared between patients without choledocholithiasis and 65 patients with this diagnosis. A multivariate logistic analysis was performed to obtain a predictive model of choledocholithiasis, determining sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV).

Results

Predictors of choledocholithiasis were the presence of a prior history of biliary disease (history of biliary colic, acute cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis or acute biliary pancreatitis) (p = 0.021, OR = 2.225, 95% CI: 1.130-4.381), total bilirubin values > 4 mg/dl (p = 0.046, OR = 2.403, 95% CI: 1.106-5.685), alkaline phosphatase values > 150 mg/dl (p = 0.022 income, OR = 2.631, 95%: 1.386-6.231), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) values > 100 mg/dl (p = 0.035, OR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.345-5.850), and an ultrasound finding of biliary duct > 8 mm (p = 0.034, OR = 3.063 95% CI: 1086-8649). A score superior to 5 had a specificity and PPV of 100% for detecting choledocholithiasis and a score less than 3 had a sensitivity and NPV of 100% for excluding this diagnosis.

Conclusions

The preoperative score can exclude or confirm the presence of choledocholithiasis and allows patients to directly benefit from laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) or prior endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).     

Utilidad de la ultrasonografía endobronquial radial en el diagnóstico de lesiones pulmonares periféricas. Estudio controlado con fluoroscopia

Introduction

Fluoroscopy-guided bronchoscopy is usually performed for the diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPL), but the diagnostic yield varies widely among studies. Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) can increase the diagnostic yield of bronchoscopic diagnosis of PPL.

Objective

To compare the diagnostic yield of fluoroscopy-guided bronchoscopy and EBUS with fluoroscopy-guided bronchoscopy in the study of PPL.

Methods

All patients who underwent bronchoscopy to study PPL from January 2009 to December 2012 were prospectively included. 145 consecutive patients were randomly distributed in two groups: EBUS and fluoroscopy (50 patients, 71.3 ± 8.2 years) or fluoroscopy alone (95 patients, 68 ± 10.5 years). The mean diameter of the lesions was 41.97 ± 19.22 mm. Cytological brushing and transbronchial biopsies were obtained. All procedures were performed under fluoroscopic guidance with intravenous conscious sedation. EBUS was performed using an endoscopic ultrasound system equipped with a 20-MHz radial miniprobe introduced via a guide-sheath. Bronchoscopist, cytologist, study protocol, techniques and tools were the same throughout the whole study.

Results

129 (89%) patients had malignant disease. A diagnosis with bronchoscopy was established in 105 (72.4%) patients. EBUS plus fluoroscopy obtained a diagnostic yield in 78% of patients and fluoroscopy alone in 69.5% (non-significant). In contrast, for lesions smaller than 30 mm, EBUS plus fluoroscopy guidance provided significantly greater diagnostic performance than fluoroscopy alone (90 vs. 52%; P = .05).

Conclusions

Bronchoscopy under EBUS plus fluoroscopy guidance is a technique that has become useful for the diagnostic of LPPs, especially those smaller than 30 mm in diameter.     

Predicción en tiempo real de la malignidad de ganglios linfáticos mediastínicos mediante ecografía endobronquial

Objective

To evaluate the utility of different ultrasonographic (US) features in differentiating benign and malignant lymph node (LN) by endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and validate a score for real-time clinical application.

Methods

208 mediastinal LN acquired from 141 patients were analyzed. Six different US criteria were evaluated (short axis ≥ 10 mm, shape, margin, echogenicity, and central hilar structure [CHS], and presence of hyperechoic density) by two observers independently. A simplified score was generated where the presence of margin distinction, round shape and short axis ≥ 10 mm were scored as 1 and heterogeneous echogenicity and absence of CHS were scored as 1.5. The score was evaluated prospectively for real-time clinical application in 65 LN during EBUS procedure in 39 patients undertaken by two experienced operators. These criteria were correlated with the histopathological results and the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) were calculated.

Results

Both heterogenicity and absence of CHS had the highest sensitivity and NPV (≥ 90%) for predicting LN malignancy with acceptable inter-observer agreement (92% and 87% respectively). On real-time application, the sensitivity and specificity of the score > 5 were 78% and 86% respectively; only the absence of CHS, round shape and size of LN were significantly associated with malignant LN.

Conclusions

Combination of different US criteria can be useful for prediction of mediastinal LN malignancy and valid for real-time clinical application.     

Utilidad de la punción aspirativa transbronquial guiada con ultrasonografía endobronquial (USEB) radial para el diagnóstico de adenopatías mediastínicas

Introduction

Transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is a bronchoscopic technique that has been shown to be useful for sampling enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. The yield of this technique can be increased by using endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) to guide needle placement. The aim of the present study was to compare the yield of radial EBUS-guided TBNA to that of conventional TBNA in the analysis of mediastinal lymph nodes.

Patients and Methods

All patients undergoing either EBUS-guided or conventional TBNA for the diagnosis of mediastinal lymph nodes between January 2006 and May 2007 were studied consecutively. Histology results were used as a reference standard in the patients treated surgically. In cases in which surgery was not indicated, the results of cytology or of clinical follow-up of at least 6 months duration were used.

Results

TBNA was performed in 117 patients, and a total of 143 lymph nodes were punctured (mean shortest [SD] diameter, 17.9 [8] mm). The samples obtained were diagnostic in 58 patients (49.6%) and in 70 lymph nodes (49.0%). For paratracheal and hilar stations, the yield of radial EBUS-guided TBNA was superior to that of conventional TBNA (59.2% compared to 34.1%, P=.02).

Conclusions

Radial EBUS guidance increases the diagnostic yield of TBNA in paratracheal and hilar lymph node stations.     

Efectividad a corto y largo plazo de un programa tutelado de formación en espirometrías para profesionales de atención primaria

Introduction

Despite the importance of spirometry, its use and quality are limited in the Primary Care setting. There are few accredited training programs that have demonstrated improvement in the quality of spirometric studies. In this paper, we analyze the short- and long-term effectiveness of a supervised training program for performing and interpreting spirometries.

Methodology

Ours is an intervention study with before and after measurements. The target population included teams of physicians and nursing staff at 26 health-care centers in the area of Vigo (Galicia, Spain). The structured training program involved 2 theoretical and practical training sessions (that were 2 months apart), an intermediate period of 30 supervised spirometries performed in the respective centers and weekly e-mail exercises. Effectiveness was evaluated using exercises at the beginning (test 1) and the end (test 2) of the 1 st day, 2 nd day (test 3) and one year later (test 4), as well as the analysis of spirometries done in month 1, month 2 and one year later. Participants also completed a survey about their satisfaction.

Results

74 participants initiated the program; 72 completed the program, but only 45 participated in the one-year evaluation. Mean test scores were: 4.1 ± 1.9 on test 1; 7.5 ± 1.6 on test 2; 8.9 ± 1.3 on test 3, and 8.8 ± 1.4 on test 4. During month 1, the percentage of correctly done/interpreted tests was 71%, in month two it was 91% and after one year it was 83% (P < .05).

Conclusions

A training program based on theoretical and practical workshops and a supervised follow-up of spirometries significantly improved the ability of Primary Care professionals to carry out and interpret spirometric testing, although the quality of the tests diminished over time.     

Infección de sitio quirúrgico tras apendicectomía urgente: tasa global y tipo según la vía de abordaje (abierta/laparoscópica)

Objective

To compare the incidence and profile of surgical site infection (SSI) after laparoscopic (LA) or open (OA) appendicectomy.

Material and method

Observational and analytical study was conducted on patients older than 14 years-old with suspected acute appendicitis operated on within a 4-year period (2007-2010) at a third level hospital (n = 868). They were divided in two groups according to the type of appendicectomy (LA, study group, 135; OA, control group, 733). The primary endpoint was a surgical site infection (SSI), and to determine the overall rate and types (incisional/organ-space). The risk of SSI was stratified by: i) National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance (NNIS) index (low risk: 0E, 0 and 1; high risk: 2 and 3); ii) status on presentation (low risk: normal or phlegmonous; high risk: gangrenous or perforated). The statistical analysis was performed using the software SPSS. The main result and stratified analysis was determined with χ², and the risk parameters using OR and Mantel-Haenszel OR with 95%CI, accepting statistical significance with P < .05.

Results

Age, gender, ASA index and incidence of advanced cases were similar in both groups. The overall SSI rate was 13.4% (more than a half of them detected during follow-up after discharge). Type of SSI: OA, 13% (superficial 9%, deep 2%, organ-space 2%); AL, 14% (superficial 5%, deep 1%, organ-space 8%) (overall: not significant; distribution: P < .000). Stratified analysis showed that there is an association between incisional SSI/OA and organ-space SSI/LA, and is particularly stronger in those patients with high risk of postoperative SSI (high risk NNIS or gangrenous-perforated presentation).

Conclusion

OA and LA are associated with a higher rate of incisional and organ-space SSI respectively. This is particularly evident in patients with high risk of SSI.     

La ultrasonografía endobronquial lineal como instrumento de diagnóstico inicial en el paciente con ocupación mediastínica

Background and Objective

Linear endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has proven useful for sampling mediastinal masses and nodes and for staging lung cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of this diagnostic tool in patients with indications of mediastinal disease that could not be diagnosed by noninvasive methods or white light bronchoscopy.

Patients and Methods

All patients undergoing linear EBUS-TBNA for the diagnosis of mediastinal masses and/or adenopathy at our endoscopy unit were included in the study. Diagnoses obtained by linear EBUS-TBNA or any surgical technique performed after a nondiagnostic EBUS-TBNA were considered as final.

Results

In the study population of 128 patients with a mean (SD) age of 62.0 (11.2) years, a total of 294 TBNAs were performed on 12 masses and 282 nodes. Satisfactory samples were obtained in 11 cases (91.7%) from masses and in 233 cases (82.6%) from nodes. Linear EBUS-TBNA was diagnostic, obviating the need for mediastinoscopy in 115 patients (diagnostic sensitivity, 89.8%). The technique confirmed the diagnosis in 85 of the 94 patients with cancer (90.4%), in 8 of the 10 patients with tuberculosis (80.0%), and in the 5 patients with sarcoidosis.

Conclusions

Linear EBUS-TBNA is a useful diagnostic tool in patients with mediastinal disease for whom a pathologic diagnosis is not achieved by noninvasive methods or white light bronchoscopy.     

Utilidad clínica e impacto económico de la punción transbronquial convencional de adenopatías mediastínicas en el carcinoma broncogénico

Objectives

To analyze the clinical utility and economic impact of conventional transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) in patients with diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma (BC) and mediastinal lymphadenopathies in thoracic computed tomography (CT). To assess the predictive factors of valid aspirations.

Patients and methods

Retrospective observational study between 2006 and 2011 of all TBNA performed in patients with final diagnosis of BC and accessible hilar or mediastinal lymphadenopathies on thoracic CT.

Results

We performed TBNA on 267 lymphadenopathies of 192 patients. In 34.9% of patients, two or more lymph nodes were biopsied. Valid aspirations were obtained in 153 patients (79.7%) that were diagnostic in 124 (64.6%). Multivariate analysis showed that factors associated with valid or diagnostic results are the diameter of the lymph node and the number of lymph nodes explored. TBNA was the only endoscopic technique that provided the diagnosis of BC in 54 patients (28.1%). Staging mediastinoscopy was avoided in 67.6% of patients. The prevalence of mediastinal lymph node involvement was 74.4%, sensitivity of TBNA was 86.2% and negative predictive value was 63.6%. Including mediastinoscopy and other avoided diagnostic techniques, TBNA saved 451.57 € per patient.

Conclusions

TBNA is a clinically useful, cost-effective technique in patients with BC and mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathies. It should therefore be performed on a regular basis during diagnostic bronchoscopy of these patients.     

Experiencia y desarrollo de la técnica de lobectomía por cirugía torácica videoasistida: estudio comparativo con cirugía convencional en estadio i de cáncer de pulmón no microcítico

Background

Surgical treatment of stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can be performed either by thoracotomy or by employing video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). The aim of this study was to compare long and short-term results of conventional surgery (CS) vs. VATS lobectomy in the treatment of stage I NSCLC.

Materials and methods

We performed a retrospective, analytical study of patients undergoing surgery for stage I NSCLC during the period January 1993 to December 2005. The variables analyzed were overall survival, recurrence, distant metastasis, morbidity, mortality and hospital stay. During this period, 256 anatomic lung resections were performed: 141 by CS and 115 by VATS.

Results

There were statistically significant differences in: (i) mean hospital stay in patients with no complications (VATS group: 4.3 days vs. CS group: 8.7 days, P = .0001); (ii) mean hospital stay in patients with complications (VATS: 7.2 days vs. CS: 13.7 days, P = .0001), and (iii) morbidity (VATS: 15.6% vs. CS: 36.52%, P = .0001). No statistically significant differences were found in: (i) mortality (VATS: 2.17% vs. CS: 1.7%, P = .88); (ii) 5-year overall survival (VATS: 68.1% vs. CS: 63.8%), and (iii) local recurrence and distant metastasis (P = .82).

Conclusions

VATS lobectomy is a safe and effective approach, with a shorter hospital stay and lower morbidity than CS; no statistically significant differences were observed in survival in patients undergoing surgery for stage I NSCLC.     

Validez y aplicabilidad de un nuevo método de registro para la hipertensión arterial

Introduction and objectives

Blood pressure measurement methods and conditions are determinants of hypertension diagnosis. A recent British guideline recommends systematic 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. However, these devices are not available at all health centers and they can only be used by 1 patient per day. The aim of this study was to test a new blood pressure recording method to see if it gave the same diagnostic results as 24-h blood pressure monitoring.

Methods

One-hour blood pressure monitoring under routine clinical practice conditions was compared with standard method of day time recording by analyzing the coefficient of correlation and Bland-Altman plots. The Kappa index was used to calculate degree of agreement. Method sensitivity and specificity were also analyzed.

Results

Of the 102 participants, 89 (87.3%) obtained the same diagnosis regardless of method, with high between-method agreement (κ= 0.81; 95% confidence interval, 0.71-0.91). We observed robust correlations between diastolic (r = 0.85) and systolic blood pressure (r = 0.76) readings. Sensitivity and specificity for the new method for diagnosing white coat hypertension were 85.2% (95% confidence interval 67.5%-94.1%) and 92% (95% confidence interval, 83.6%-96.3%), respectively.

Conclusions

One-hour blood pressure monitoring is a valid and reliable method for diagnosing hypertension and for classifying hypertension subpopulations, especially in white coat hypertension and refractory hypertension. This also leads to a more productive use of monitoring instruments.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org/en     

Utilidad de la tomografía por emisión de positrones en la detección de metástasis ocultas extratorácicas en el carcinoma broncogénico no células pequeñas

Introduction

Positron emission tomography combined with computed axial tomography (PET/CT) is used for staging non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aims to describe PET/CT findings of unsuspected extrathoracic metastasis when used in mediastinal evaluation of patients with apparently resectable NSCLC.

Patients and method

Prospective and concurrent study including all NSCLC patients between June 2004 and November 2006 who underwent PET/CT after considering them as candidates for surgery, with resectable disease after bronchoscopy, thorax and abdominal CT, brain CT and bone gammagraphy evaluation, if metastasis at these locations were suspected. Metastasis were confirmed histopathologically or assumed when they had a compatible evolution.

Results

A total of 91 patients with NSCLC underwent PET/CT. In 24 of them (26%) at least one suspicious extrathoracic uptake was seen. In 7 patients (7.7%) those uptakes were NSCLC extrathoracic metastasis hidden from conventional staging. In 3 of these cases (13.1%) extrathoracic uptakes corresponded to metacrhonous tumours or pre-malignant conditions. Benign lesions were found in 12 patients (13.1%), and in 2 cases (2.2%) the uptake origins were undetermined.

Conclusions

PET/CT is a complementary diagnosis method for assessing hidden metastases which could modify the therapeutical approach in patients otherwise suitable for surgery.     

Endocarditis infecciosa en 2 hospitales universitarios españoles que difieren en su localización y en la presencia de servicio quirúrgico

Objectives

To assess possible differences in clinical presentation, microbiology, morbidity and mortality of infective endocarditis between two Spanish hospitals, one on the mainland that has cardiac surgery and one in the Canary Islands without this service.

Method

A total of 229 patients consecutively diagnosed of endocarditis between 2005 and 2012, including pediatric population, were studied in the Reina Sofía Hospital (Córdoba, n = 119) and Nuestra Señora de Candelaria Hospital (Tenerife, n = 110). We compared the clinical, microbiological and echocardiographic data and analyzed mortality differences by binary logistic regression analysis.

Results

There were no differences in underlying heart disease, proportion of surgery, or the microbiological profile. The proportion of infections attributable to catheter was higher in the Canary Islands hospital (13.6% vs 3.4%). Mortality was also higher (31.8% vs 18.5%, P = .020), although this difference was no longer significant in the multivariate analysis (OR = 1.85; 95% CI, 0.70-4.87; P = .213). Age (OR = 1.04/year; 95% CI, 1.01-1.07; P = .006), cardiac complications (OR = 5.05; 95% CI, 1.78-14.34; P = .002), persistent sepsis (OR = 4.89; 95% CI, 2.09-11.46; P < .001), and emergent surgery (OR = 4.43, 95% CI, 1.75-11.19; P = .002) were independent predictors of death. Time to surgery, length of stay in the hospital without a surgical service (20 [13-30.5] vs 13 [6-25] days; P = .019) was not associated with outcome.

Conclusions

There are differences in the presentation of endocarditis between two distant hospitals in Spain. The different hospital mortality can not be directly related to the presence of a surgery service.     

Técnica modificada de obtención de muestras del mediastino mediante punción transbronquial bajo guía de ecografía endobronquial: resultados de un estudio prospectivo observacional

Background

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) is a widely-accepted method for obtaining both benign and malignant mediastinal lymph node samples. We present the results obtained with a modification that simplifies sampling, known as fine-needle capillary sampling or EBUS-FNC.

Methods

A prospective observational study with 44 consecutive patients who underwent EBUS at the University of Navarra Clinic in Pamplona (Spain). All samples were obtained by EBUS-FNC instead of by conventional EBUS-TBNA. No suction was used, and the internal stylus was not completely withdrawn at any time.

Results

The examination of the mediastinum by means of EBUS identified the presence of lymphadenopathies or mediastinal masses in 38 patients (86.4%). Samples were taken from more than one lymph node in 23 patients (52.3%). EBUS-FNC provided adequate and representative material for interpretation in all patients, and diagnostic performance was 87%. Sensitivity for the detection of lung cancer with EBUS-FNC was 84%. Mild complications were only recorded in two patients (4.5%).

Conclusions

Our study suggests that EBUS-FNC is a safe technique, comparable to EBUS-TBNA in efficacy, and is able to obtain adequate samples.     

Retraso diagnóstico de la hipertensión arterial en pacientes diabéticos atendidos en atención primaria

Introduction and objectives

Delayed diagnosis of hypertension may result in inadequate blood pressure control and increased cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to estimate the delay in hypertension diagnosis in patients with type 2 diabetes and the likelihood of a diagnosis within a suitable period (first 6 months), and to analyze the patient and physician characteristics associated with delayed diagnosis.

Methods

Retrospective dynamic cohort study, with a 7-year follow-up in primary care, of 8074 adult patients with diabetes who met the diagnostic criteria for hypertension. Two thresholds were considered: 140/90 mmHg and 130/80 mmHg. The time elapsed between meeting these criteria and recording the diagnosis was estimated; the time course of the likelihood of a missed diagnosis and the variables associated with correct diagnosis were assessed by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and logistic regression analysis, respectively.

Results

The mean diagnostic delay was 8.9 (15.4) months in patients with blood pressure≥140/90 mmHg compared to 15.2 (19.6) months for those with <140/90 mmHg (P<.001). The main variables associated with correct diagnosis were baseline blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg (odds ratio=2.77; 95% confidence interval, 2.44-3.15), no history of acute myocardial infarction (odds ratio=2.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.67-2.99), obesity (odds ratio=1.70; 95% confidence interval, 1.44-1.99), absence of depression (odds ratio=1.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.27-2.08), female sex (odds ratio=1.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-1.46), older age, and taking more intensive antidiabetic therapy. There was an inverse relationship with the age of physicians and a direct relationship with their professional stability.

Conclusions

The mean diagnostic delay in hypertension among diabetic patients was greater than 6 months and varied according to the diagnostic threshold used. Patients with baseline blood pressure≥140/90 mmHg were more likely to receive a timely diagnosis.Full English text available from:www.revespcardiol.org/en     

Enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica en pacientes con tromboembolia de pulmón aguda sintomática

Background

The diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) is often complicated by the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Some studies have suggested that patients with PE and concomitant COPD have a worse prognosis than patients without COPD.

Patients and methods

Outpatients diagnosed with acute symptomatic PE at a university tertiary care hospital were prospectively included in the study. Clinical characteristics, time between onset of symptoms and diagnosis, and outcome were analyzed according to presence or absence of COPD. The primary endpoint was all-cause deaths at 3 months.

Results

Of 882 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of acute symptomatic PE, 8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6%–9%) had COPD. Patients with COPD were significantly more likely to have a delay in diagnosis of more than 3 days and to have a low pretest probability of pulmonary embolism according to a standardized clinical score. The total number of deaths during 3 months of follow-up was 128 (14%; 95% CI, 12%–17%). Factors significantly associated with mortality from all causes were a history of cancer or immobilization, systolic blood pressure less than 100 mm Hg, and arterial oxyhemoglobin saturation less than 90%. COPD was significantly associated with PE-related death in the logistic regression analysis (relative risk, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.0–5.1).

Conclusions

Patients with COPD and PE more often have a lower pretest probability and a longer delay in diagnosis of PE. COPD is significantly associated with PE-related death in the 3 months following diagnosis.     

Identificación bacteriana directamente del hemocultivo mediante una técnica rápida de espectrometría de masas Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionisation Time-of-Flight

Introduction

Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionisation Time-of-Flight (MALDI-TOF) Mass Spectrometry is rapid and accurate for the bacterial identification.

Methods

We have evaluated a less laborious and less time consuming method for microorganism identification directly from positive blood cultures.

Results

When we considered the scores ≥ 1.7 and ≥ 1.4 for acceptable identification of species and genus, the percentage of identification was 77.5% and 93.9%, respectively.

Conclusions

This method is reliable, rapid and cost-effective for implementation in routine use in clinical microbiology laboratories.     

Hipertensión intraabdominal: consecuencias sobre la circulación esplácnica. Estudio preliminar en un modelo de ascitis

Introduction

Intra-abdominal hypertension is defined as a rise in intra-abdominal pressure leading to progressive dysfunction of the abdominal organs.

Objective

To evaluate the effects of intra-abdominal hypertension on the splanchnic circulation in a porcine animal model with a view to determining the diagnostic method of choice.

Material and methods

A total of 10 swine were divided into 2 groups: a control group and a group with an ascites pressure of 20 mmHg. Transvesical and transperitoneal intra-abdominal pressures were registered, and the correlation between the measurements obtained was determined. Concentrations of lactic acid, alanine aminotransferase, glucose and gastric mucosal pH were also obtained. We registered the mean arterial and abdominal perfusion pressures, and the correlation of the latter with gastric mucosal pH and lactic acid concentrations. The parameters were registered for a total of 3 hours.

Results

We observed a high correlation between transvesical and transperitoneal measurements of intra-abdominal pressure (R² = 0.98). In the 20 mmHg pressure group, lactic acid concentrations increased significantly at 180 min (p < 0.011). Gastric mucosal pH differed significantly between the 2 groups from the beginning of the study (p = 0.004) and significantly decreased from 120 min onward. Mean arterial and abdominal perfusion pressures gradually decreased during the trial, with early significant changes in the abdominal perfusion pressure (p = 0.001), and a good correlation with the remaining study parameters. There were no significant changes in hepatic indicators.

Conclusions

We believe the transvesical approach to be the technique of choice to determine intra-abdominal pressure. Abdominal perfusion pressure is a sensitive marker of intra-abdominal hypertension, and gastric mucosal pH is the first parameter to be affected.