Systolic blood pressure and mortality in acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism

Background: The optimal cutoff for systolic blood pressure (SBP) level to define high-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) remains to be defined. Methods: To evaluate the relationship between SBP levels on admission and mortality in patients with acute symptomatic PE, the current study included 39,257 consecutive patients with acute symptomatic PE from the RIETE registry between 2001 and 2018. Primary outcomes included all-cause and PE-specific 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes included major bleeding and recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE). Results: There was a linear inverse relationship between admission SBP and 30-day all-cause and PE-related mortality that persisted after multivariable adjustment. Patients in the lower SBP strata had higher rates of all-cause death (reference: SBP 110-129 mmHg) (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.0-4.2 for SBP 190 mmHg). Consistent findings were also observed for 30-day PE-related death. Conclusions: In patients with acute symptomatic PE, a low SBP portends an increased risk of all-cause and PE-related mortality. The highest mortality was observed in patients with SBP <70 mmHg

Pulmonary vascular complications in portal hypertension and liver disease: A concise review

Chronic liver disease and/or portal hypertension may be associated with one of the two pulmonary vascular complications: portopulmonary hypertension and hepatopulmonary syndrome. These pulmonary vascular disorders are notoriously underdiagnosed; however, they have a substantial negative impact on survival and require special attention in order to understand their diagnostic approach and to select the best therapeutic options. Portopulmonary hypertension results from excessive vasoconstriction, vascular remodeling, and proliferative and thrombotic events within the pulmonary circulation that lead to progressive right ventricular failure and ultimately to death. On the other hand, abnormal intrapulmonary vascular dilations, profound hypoxemia, and a wide alveolar-arterial gradient are the hallmarks of the hepatopulmonary syndrome, resulting in difficult-to-treat hypoxemia. The aim of this review is to summarize the latest pathophysiologic concepts, diagnostic approach, therapy, and prognosis of portopulmonary hypertension and hepatopulmonary syndrome, as well as to discuss the role of liver transplantation as a definitive therapy in selected patients with these conditions

Actualización bibliográfica sobre el uso de preparaciones ricas en plaquetas en la cicatrización de heridas Updated review of the use of platelet rich preparations in wound healing

Las plaquetas poseen más de 20 factores de crecimiento en sus gránulos. Su secreción promueve la reparación de heridas. La cicatrización es un intrincado proceso en el cual intervienen no solo los factores plaquetarios proangiogénicos sino también factores antiangiogénicos. La preservación por congelación de las plaquetas empleada para su preservación, desestabiliza y activa la membrana plaquetaria alterando sus propiedades. En el campo del tratamiento de heridas recalcitrantes en pacientes debilitados o con enfermedades crónicas, el uso de preparaciones plaquetarias en forma de plasma fresco congelado, las preparaciones plaquetarias sonicadas, las preparaciones congeladas y deshidratadas y el uso de fragmentos de dermis alogénica, confiere efectos beneficiosos, logrando mejores tiempos de cierre en las heridas y menor alteración de la morfología de la cicatriz final. En el presente artículo, describiremos los estudios que han demostrado estos efectos, así como las encrucijadas actuales y los estudios que debemos esperar en un futuro no lejano.Platelets store more than 20 growth factors in their granules. Their secretion promotes wound healing and repair. The intricate wound healing process involves not only the angiogenic platelet factors but also de anti-angiogenic ones. The process of platelet preservation, such as freezing, disrupt the platelet membrane structure and their angiogenic properties causing platelet activation. In the field of wound healing and the management of recalcitrant wounds in debilitated and chronically ill patients, there have been several studies. These studies have focused on the use of the different platelet preparations such as fresh frozen plasma, frozen-dried platelet rich plasma, sonicated platelet rich plasma and the use of alogenic acelular dermis. Platelet preparations posses positive effects on wound healing with little alterations of the final scar tissue. In this article we will describe and discuss the studies that have involved the use of these platelet rich preparations in the filed of wound healing and we will also state the road blocks and the studies that will come in the near future regarding the use of platelets products in the field wound healing

Worldwide physician education and training in pulmonary hypertension: pulmonary vascular disease: the global perspective

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) affects > 25 million individuals worldwide and causes premature disability and death for many. The diagnosis and treatment of PH have advanced dramatically through the development of a clearly defined diagnostic classification, an evidence-based treatment algorithm for adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension using life-saving medications, and life-saving surgical procedures. However, worldwide education and training of physicians has lagged behind advances in the management of PH. Expertise in the diagnosis and management of PH is uncommon, even though physicians receive training on PH during their graduate and postgraduate education. Advances in worldwide physician education and training in PH will require substantial organization and work. Organizations working in this field will need to work collaboratively to maximize funding for education and to optimize the achievement of educational goals. Political, economic, and cultural barriers must be identified and overcome as part of any strategic plan. Global education should include training objectives for generalist, non-PH specialist, and PH specialist physicians

Prognostic Impact of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Patients Presenting with Acute Symptomatic Pulmonary Embolism.

In patients with pulmonary embolism (PE), there is a lack of comprehensive data on the prevalence and prognostic significance of pre-existing obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). In this study of patients with PE from the Registro Informatizado de la Enfermedad TromboEmbólica (RIETE) registry, we assessed the prevalence of OSA, and the association between pre-existing OSA and the outcomes of all-cause mortality, PE-related mortality, recurrences, and major bleeding over 30 days after initiation of PE treatment. Additionally, we also examined rates of outcomes within 90 days and 1 year following the diagnosis of PE. Of 4,153 patients diagnosed with PE, 241 (5.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.1-6.6%) had pre-existing OSA. Overall, 166 (4.0%; 95% CI: 3.4-4.6%) died during the first 30 days of follow-up. In multivariable analysis, the OSA syndrome was not a significant predictor of death from any cause (odds ratio [OR]: 1.5; 95% CI: 0.8-2.9; p = 0.19). However, patients with pre-existing OSA had an increased PE-specific mortality (adjusted OR: 3.0; 95% CI: 1.3-6.8; p = 0.01) compared with those without OSA. OSA was not significantly associated with 30-day recurrent venous thromboembolism (adjusted OR: 0.6; 95% CI: 0.1-4.7; p = 0.65) or major bleeds (adjusted OR: 1.0; 95% CI: 0.4-2.2; p = 1.0). Findings were similar at 90-day and 1-year follow-ups. In patients presenting with PE, pre-existing OSA is relatively infrequent. Patients with OSA were at increased risk of PE-related mortality when compared with those without OSA