Mortality for newborns of birthweight less than 1500 g in Spanish neonatal units (2002-2005)

The purpose of this study was to analyze the mortality and its prognostic factors in a Spanish cohort of very low birthweight (VLBW) infants during the period 2002 to 2005. Using the Spanish Society of Neonatology database (SEN 1500), 8942 infants with a birthweight < 1500 g were recruited. The overall mortality was 17.3%. However, this incidence underwent a significant decrease over the study period, from 19.4% in 2002 to 15.2% in 2005 ( P = 0.003). Mortality ranged from 12.4% in 25% of the participating neonatal units to 19.4% in a further 25%. Mortality was higher in outborn infants (25.8%) than in inborn infants (16.6%) ( P < 0.001). The mortality rates of these neonates are also presented by 100-g intervals (401 to 1500) and for the different hospitalization times: in the delivery room, within 24 hours and 28 days of birth, at 36 weeks of postmenstrual age, and on discharge. Of note was that mortality was greatest within 24 hours and 28 days of birth in each of the weight groups ( P < 0.001). In conclusion, in the cohort of infants < 1500 g examined, mortality in the period from 2002 to 2005 was still high, especially among newborns weighing < 1000 g. We did, however, observe a decreasing trend in mortality rates for the participating neonatal units over the 4 study years. Our findings highlight the need to promote intrauterine transport and improve neonatal transport as well as the management of these infants in the delivery room and within the first 28 days of life.     

MMR vaccine effectiveness in an outbreak that involved day-care and primary schools

Objective

In 2006, a large measles outbreak occurred in Catalonia (Spain), where the immunization schedule included two doses of MMR vaccine at 15 months and 4 years. The aim of this study was to investigate the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of MMR in children attending day-care and pre-school centres and to estimate the number of cases that would have been avoided by administering the first dose of MMR at 12 months.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was carried out between October 2006 and January 2007 in day-care and pre-school centres with confirmed measles cases. VE was calculated in children aged ≥15 months without previous measles infection. Cases avoided by advancing the first dose of MMR to 12 months were estimated by calculating the basic and effective reproduction number in centres where transmission outside the class was observed.

Results

Fifteen centres and 1394 children were included. There were 77 confirmed cases (attack rate = 5.5%). Vaccination coverage of the 1121 children aged ≥15 months was 91.6% and VE was 96% (95%CI 89-98%).There were 33 (41%) cases in the 81 children aged 12-14 months. Advancing the first dose to 12 months would have prevented 74 cases (91.5%) and lowered the attack rate from 41% to 8.6%.

Conclusions

Over 90% of cases in children aged 12-14 months would have been avoided by MMR administration at 12 rather than 15 months. We strongly recommend advancing the first dose of MMR to 12 months in order to reduce the risk of measles outbreaks.     

Evolução e Estado Atual das Práticas de Implante Transcateter de Válvula Aórtica na América Latina – Estudo WRITTEN LATAM

Background:Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a worldwide adopted procedure with rapidly evolving practices. Regional and temporal variations are expected to be found.Objective:To compare TAVR practice in Latin America with that around the world and to assess its changes in Latin America from 2015 to 2020.Methods:A survey was applied to global TAVR centers between March and September 2015, and again to Latin-American centers between July 2019 and January 2020. The survey consisted of questions addressing: i) center’s general information; ii) pre-TAVR evaluation; iii) procedural techniques; iv) post-TAVR management; v) follow-up. Answers from the 2015 survey of Latin-American centers (LATAM15) were compared with those of other centers around the world (WORLD15) and with the 2020 updated Latin-American survey (LATAM20). A 5% level of significance was adopted for statistical analysis.Results:250 centers participated in the 2015 survey (LATAM15=29; WORLD15=221) and 46 in the LATAM20. Combined centers experience accounted for 73 707 procedures, with WORLD15 centers performing, on average, 6- and 3-times more procedures than LATAM15 and LATAM20 centers, respectively. LATAM centers performed less minimalistic TAVR than WORLD15 centers, but there was a significant increase in less invasive procedures after 5 years in Latin-American centers. For postprocedural care, a lower period of telemetry and maintenance of temporary pacing wire, along with less utilization of dual antiplatelet therapy was observed in LATAM20 centers.Conclusion:Despite still having a much lower number of procedures, many aspects of TAVR practice in Latin-American centers have evolved in recent years, followingthe trend observed in developed country centers.     

Bloqueadores do Receptor de Angiotensina Avaliados por Medida de Consultório e Residencial da Pressão Arterial. Estudo TeleMRPA

BackgroundAdequate treatment of arterial hypertension and achieving arterial hypertension goals in are important in reducing cardiovascular outcomes.ObjectivesTo describe angiotensin receptor blockers in monotherapy or double combination therapy and the rate of arterial hypertension control.MethodsThis cross-sectional study evaluated patients who were using angiotensin receptor blockers between 2017 and 2020. Those using three or more antihypertensive drugs were excluded. The analyzed variables included sex, age, body mass index, valid home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) measurements, casual and HBPM systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements, blood pressure variability, and antihypertensive and angiotensin receptor blocker class. Paired t, chi-square, and Fisher’s exact tests were used, as well as overlapping 95% confidence intervals and a significance level of 5% (p < 0.05).ResultsOf 17,013 patients, 12,813 met the inclusion criteria, 62.1% of whom were female. The mean number of valid measurements was 23.3 (SD, 2.0). The mean HBPM and casual measurements for systolic blood pressure were 126.8 (SD, 15.8) mmHg and 133.5 (SD, 20.1) mmHg (p <0.001), respectively, while those for diastolic blood pressure were 79.1 (SD, 9.7 mmHg) and 83.6 (SD, 11.9) mmHg (p <0.001), respectively. Losartan was the most common angiotensin receptor blocker and resulted in the highest blood pressure values. Combinations of angiotensin receptor blockers with diuretics or calcium channel antagonists resulted in lower blood pressure values.ConclusionsMore than half of the patients used losartan, although it was the least efficient drug for reducing and controlling blood pressure.     

Adiponectin and risk of new-onset diabetes mellitus after kidney transplantation

BACKGROUND: New-onset diabetes mellitus after transplantation (NODAT) is a severe complication of kidney transplantation (KTx) with negative effects upon patient and graft survival. Several risk factors for NODAT have been described; however, the search for an early predictive marker is ongoing. It has recently been demonstrated that high concentrations of adiponectin (APN), which is an adipocyte-derived peptide with antiinflammatory and insulin-sensitizing properties, protect against future development of type 2 diabetes in healthy individuals. The purpose of this report was to study pretransplant insulin resistance and analyze pretransplant serum leptin and APN levels as independent risk factors for the development of NODAT. METHODS: A total of 68 KTx patients were studied [mean age, 48 +/- 11 years; 70% males; body mass index (BMI), 25 +/- 3 kg/m]; 31 KTx patients with NODAT and 37 KTx patients without NODAT (non-NODAT) with similar age, sex, BMI, immunosuppression, and posttransplant time were studied. All patients received prednisone and calcineurin inhibitors (75% tacrolimus and 25% cyclosporine A), and 76% of patients received mycophenolate mofetil. Family history of diabetes mellitus was recorded. Pretransplant homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index was calculated from fasting plasma glucose and insulin. Pretransplant serum leptin and APN levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: NODAT patients showed higher pretransplant plasma insulin concentrations [NODAT, 13.4 (11-22.7) microIU/mL; non-NODAT, 10.05 (7.45-18.4) microIU/mL; P=0.049], HOMA-IR index [NODAT, 4.18 (2.49-5.75); non-NODAT, 2.63 (1.52-4.68); P=0.043], and lower pretransplant serum APN concentration [NODAT, 8.78 (7.2-11.38) microg/mL; non-NODAT, 11.4 (8.56-15.27) microg/mL, P=0.012]. Inverse correlations between APN and BMI (r=-0.33; P=0.014) and APN and HOMA-IR index (r=-0.39; P=0.002) and between APN and NODAT (r=-0.31; P=0.011) were observed. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed the patients with lower pretransplant APN concentrations to be those at greater risk of developing NODAT [Odds Ratio=0.832 (0.71-0.96); P=0.01]. CONCLUSION: Pretransplant serum APN concentration is an independent predictive factor for NODAT development in kidney-transplanted patients.     

Study of mycotoxin calibration approaches on the example of trichothecenes analysis from flour

The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of different calibration approaches in trichothecenes analysis from wheat flour. Concretely eight trichothecenes (five type B trichothecenes and three type A trichothecenes) were analyzed by matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). In the first set of experiments the presence of matrix effects was evaluated; values ranged between 59% and 79%. In the second set of experiments, solutions to compensate these signal suppressions were examined. Different calibration methods showed to tackle matrix effects obtaining values between 69% and 85% for external matrix matched calibration and values from 76% to 111% and from 78% to 108% by analog and deuterated internal standard calibrations, respectively. Trueness of the method was studied using quality control material and certificated reference material (DON 1062 ± 110 μg kg⁻¹). The values were compared by matrix-matched, analog internal standard (deepoxydeoxynivalenol (DOM-1)) and deuterated internal standard (DON-d₁).     

Insuficiencia cardiaca y trasplante

The mission of the Heart Failure and Heart Transplantation Section of the Spanish Society of Cardiology is to study, promote interest in, and disseminate information about all aspects of myocardial dysfunction and heart transplantation. Heart failure is a highly prevalent disorder that consumes a substantial proportion of healthcare resources. Consequently, there is a very high level of interest in the condition and a wide range of preclinical and clinical research is being carried out, including research into new ways of looking at the disease that will increase our understanding. The aim of this article was to describe current developments concerning this disease and its treatment. Firstly, the latest publications on heart failure are summarized. Then, the most recent studies on advanced heart failure and ventricular assist devices are reviewed. Finally, the latest findings on heart transplantation are reported.