Comparison of coronary angiography and intra-coronary ultrasound as "gold standard" in the diagnosis of post cardiac transplantation vasculopathy

Indexación: Web of Science; ScieloAntecedentes: La Vasculopatía del injerto (VDI) es la principal causa de muerte tardía del trasplante cardiaco (TX). Un diagnóstico precoz de esta complicación tendría un impacto en la terapia y pronóstico de esta afección. El ultrasonido intracoronario (IVUS), permite un diagnóstico precoz y certero de VDI, pero en la mayoría de los centros aún se utiliza la coronariografía. Objetivo: Evaluar la validez de la coronariografía en el diagnostico de VDI en pacientes trasplantados cardiacos, comparado con el IVUS. Metodología: Estudio transversal, en el cual se analizó una muestra de 36 pacientes con un tiempo promedio de trasplante de 3,7 ± 3,7 años, a quienes se realizó simultáneamente un examen de coronario-grafía y un IVUS. Se evaluó la reproducibilidad contrastando los resultados de la interpretación visual de la coronariografía versus la coronariografía con análisis cuantitativo. Se calculó la Sensibilidad, Especificidad, Valores predictivos (VPP, VPN), Likelihoods y el coeficiente de equivalencia de Spearman-Brown. Resultados: La coronariografía cualitativa mostró ser más exacta que la cuantitativa, con una sensibilidad 30,4% [95% IC= 11,6 - 49,2], una especificidad 92,3% [95% IC= 77,8 - 106,7], VPP 87,5% [95% IC= 64,5 - 110,4], VPN 42,8% [95% IC= 24,5 - 61,1], LR (+) 3,9 [95% IC 0,55 - 28,7] y un LR (-) 0,75 [95% IC= 0,55 - 1,03]. La coronariografía cualitativa y cuantitativa son moderadamente equivalentes con un coeficiente de equivalencia Spearman Brown de 0,65. Conclusión: La validez y la reproducibilidad de la coronariografía en el paciente con TX es moderada y debería ser complementada con IVUS para el diagnóstico de VDI.Background: Graft vasculopathy (GV) is the main cause of late death following cardiac transplantation (TX). Early diagnosis of this condition may have an impact upon treatment and prognosis of this complication. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) allows an early and accurate diagnosis of GV. However, most centers continue to use coronary angiography for this purpose. Aim: to evaluate coronary angiography for the diagnosis of GV in relation to IVUS in post TX patients. Methods: In a cross-sectional study the results of coronary angiography and IVUS, used as gold standard, were compared in 36 patients with a mean post TX follow up of 3.7 ± 3.7 years. Results were compared between visual and quantitative coronary angiography. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV), likelihood ratios and the equivalence Spearman-Brown coefficient were calculated. Results: Visual evaluation of coronary angiography was more accurate than quantitative coronary angiography. The sensitivity for GV was 30.4% (95% C.I. 11.6 - 49.2), specificity 92.3% (95% C.I. 77.8 - 106.7), PPV 87.5% (95% C.I. 64.5 - 110.4, NPP 42.8% (95% C.I. 24.5 - 61.1), likelihood ratio (+) 3.9 (95% C.I. 0.55 - 28.7), likelihood ratio (-) 0.75 (95% C.I. 0.55 -1.03). The Spearman Brown coefficient between visual and quantitative coronary angiography evaluation was 0.65. Conclusion: Accuracy and reproducibility of coronary angiography in the evaluation of GV is limited. IVUS should be used for better identification of GV.http://ref.scielo.org/6ncn6

¿Es suficiente la protección otorgada por gafas plomadas en cardiología intervencionista?

Background: It is not known whether leaded glass goggles with 0.25 mm Pb equivalency, used in interventional cardiology procedures, attenuate radiation below the levels established by the latest recommendation of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). Aim: To assess ifthe degree of attenuation of the secondary ionizing radiation achieved by the use of 0.25 mm Pb leaded glass goggles, in occupationally exposed workers in interventional cardiology procedures, meets the latest ICRP recommendations. Material and Methods: A prospective investigation was carried out to compare the eye exposure to secondary ionizing radiation received by occupationally exposed personnel in a 9 months period. A set of two thermo luminescent dosimeters was arranged in the front and back of leaded glass goggles in a cohort ofseven members of an interventional cardiology service, exposed to 1057 consecutive procedures. Results: The monthly dose equivalent measurement performed in front ofthe goggles ranged between 1.1 and 6.5 mSv, for paramedics and interventional cardiologists. The radiation measured in the back of the glass varied between 0.66 and 2.75 mSv, respectively. The degree of attenuation of the dose at eye level ranged from 40% to 57.7%, respectively. The projected annual exposure would reach 33 mSvfor the interventional cardiologist. Conclusions: With a similar load ofwork and wearing 0.25 mm Pb equivalent glass goggles, interventional cardiologists will exceed the crystalline equivalent dose limit recommended by the ICRP (20 mSv/year averaged over the past 5 years)

Recommendations for the management of patients with short-term mechanical circulatory assistance

There has been a progressive increase in the use of mechanical circulatory support in our country in the last years, mainly in the short-term: as a bridge to cardiac transplant or recovery, which has allowed to rescue patients from a population that concentrates high rates of complications and mortality. This motivated that the Ministry of Health convened a series of experts in the area of heart failure, transplantation and mechanical circulatory support, representatives of different public and private health centers in Chile, with the objective of developing recommendations on the use of short-term mechanical assistance devices, which would serve as a reference for the proper management of these patients. This clinical experts consensus document contains topics related to: definitions and general concepts; indications; contraindications; specific aspects of starting, follow-up and weaning of the devices; process of transfer of patients in circulatory assistance from one center to another and finally criteria of organization, means and competences to be fulfilled by the centers that offer this therapeutic option

Spinal Lipoma as a Dysembryogenetic Anomaly: Four Unusual Cases of Ectopic Iliac Rib within the Spinal Lipoma

International audienceBackground: Congenital spinal lipomas are closed spinal dysraphisms belonging to the neural tube defects (NTDs) group. They include a broad spectrum of lesions ranging from simple lipomas of the filum terminale to complex malformations. On histological evaluation, various tissue components of ectodermal, mesodermal or endodermal origin are found within the lipomas, with prevalence for nerves and striated muscle and, more rarely, cartilage and bone. Overall, rib malformations have been occasionally observed in patients with NTDs and in NTD mouse models. However, an ectopic rib arising within the spinal lipoma and articulating with the iliac crest has not been reported in either animal models or in humans. Cases: We describe four patients affected by lipomyeloschisis or lipomyelomeningocele, with an unusual fibrocartilaginous protuberance arising within the lipoma and connecting to one iliac crest, strongly resembling an ectopic rib. Histological evaluation confirmed the presence of cartilaginous tissue. Conclusion: We expand the clinical spectrum of fibrocartilaginous anomalies associated with spinal lipoma, suggesting the presence of an ectopic rib as a new possible phenotype in NTDs. A careful analysis by neuroradiologists and pathologists should be performed in spinal lipomas to assess the presence of an ectopic rib or other uncommon developmental anomalies. Furthermore, molecular studies are required to detect the genetic cause of this unusual phenotype