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J M Ramos

Publications and source records attributed to J M Ramos.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

[The clinical spectrum of focal infection due to nontyphoid Salmonella: 32 years' experience].

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the manifestations of the syndromes which constitute focal infection by Salmonella no typhi (SNT). METHODS: Ninety-one episodes of SNT infections studied over a period of 32 years in the Fundación Jiménez Díaz (Madrid, Spain) were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 1,892 patients with SNT infection studied during this period, 91 (5%) presented some focal form (57 males and 34 females) with a mean age of 49 years (SD +/- 21.6 years). Sixty percent of the episodes were acquired within the community. The localization of the focal infections by SNT was as follows: urologic tract (24%), intraabdominal (20%), soft tissues (16%), respiratory tract (15%), osteoarticular (14%), cardiovascular (10%) and central nervous system (1%). On comparison with the remaining patients, those with urinary, osteoarticular and respiratory infections were found to be the most frequently immunosuppressed (47%) vs 18%, p < 0.01) with a greater frequency of unfavorable evolution (57% vs 15%; p < 0.001). Mortality ranged between 7% for the osteoarticular forms to 64% for the pleuropulmonary forms of infection. CONCLUSIONS: Focal infection by Salmonella no typhi may be localized in any organ usually occurring in immunosuppressed patients or those with predisposing local factors. The osteoarticular, pulmonary, and urologic infections have a particularly unfavorable course and their presence may suggest the existence of immunosuppression.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Laparoscopy and colon cancer. Is the port site at risk? A preliminary report.

PURPOSE: To quantify the magnitude of the risk for port/extraction site recurrence of laparoscopically resected colon cancer in a defined study population. METHODS: The data from a prospective laparoscopic bowel surgery registry was used to identify cases of colon cancer that were resected laparoscopically, with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. A questionnaire was sent to the surgeons who performed the procedures. RESULTS: A total of 252 cases were identified from the registry. Questionnaires were returned in 208 of those cases, a response rate of 82.5%. Three cases of port or extraction site recurrence were noted, two of them associated with diffuse peritoneal carcinomatosis. All the patients had a Dukes' stage C tumor at the time of initial surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of port/extraction site recurrence following laparoscopic colon cancer surgery is low. All the recurrences were in patients with Dukes' stage C tumors, and there was diffuse peritoneal carcinomatosis in two of the three cases, suggesting that port/extraction site recurrence may be attributable to the advanced nature of the disease rather than the laparoscopic technique. Longer follow-up and more cases are required to confirm these findings.

Colonic Neoplasms↗
PubMed1994

Debrisoquin oxidation genotype and susceptibility to lung cancer.

The association between the polymorphism of the cytochrome P450 debrisoquin hydroxylase (CYP2D6) and lung cancer is controversial. Previous reports suggested a link between CYP2D6 phenotype and lung cancer, with poor metabolizers having reduced susceptibility. Nevertheless, negative findings have also been published. By using allele-specific amplification, we have studied the frequency of four CYP2D6 (wild type and mutant) alleles in 89 patients with histologically proved bronchogenic carcinoma and in 98 healthy volunteers. Our findings confirm that poor metabolizers are underpresented among patients with lung cancer because of a different genetic background. Our findings also reveal that the rare CYP2D6(C) mutant allele is sixfold more frequent among patients with lung cancer (p < 0.0005). This suggests that the CYP2D6(C) allele could be considered as an additional risk factor because carriers could have higher susceptibility to the development of lung cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Clinical significance of primary vs. secondary bacteremia due to nontyphoid Salmonella in patients without AIDS.

We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 51 patients with primary nontyphoid salmonella (NTS) bacteremia who did not have AIDS and who had no history of gastroenteritis and no other identified source of infection. We compared these patients with 58 patients who developed secondary NTS bacteremia following an episode of gastroenteritis. The following characteristics were more frequently associated with primary NTS bacteremia than with secondary NTS bacteremia: age > 60 years (51% vs. 33%; P < .05), glucocorticoid therapy (41% vs. 13%; P < .01), and severe immunosuppression (65% vs. 14%; P < .01). More patients with primary NTS bacteremia had hematologic malignancies, solid tumors, and connective-tissue diseases; in eight cases, primary NTS bacteremia occurred simultaneously with or preceded these disorders. We suggest that the possibility of severe immunosuppression be investigated for patients with salmonella bacteremia who have not had or do not have gastroenteritis.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

Isolation of Nocardia sp. from blood cultures in a teaching hospital.

To determine the clinical significance of the isolation of Nocardia sp. from blood cultures, clinical records of patients with bacteremia due to Nocardia sp. in our hospital from January 1986 to December 1990 were retrospectively reviewed. Eight patients had 9 blood cultures positive for Nocardia sp. Four of the isolates were identified as Nocardia asteroides. Only 2 of the patients had disseminated nocardiosis due to N. asteroides, and both were appropriately treated for Nocardia sp. In the other cases, isolation of Nocardia sp. was considered nonsignificant or undetermined, and all were clinically cured. Nocardia sp. may be an occasional contaminant of blood cultures. The significance of nocardemia is a matter of clinical judgment.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Coronary fistula --clinical and angiographic review].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical and angiography date of patients (pts) in whom coronary arteriovenous fistula were detected. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study of diagnostic coronary angiographies done between 1988 and 1993 in whom coronary arteriovenous fistula were detected. SETTING: Patients submitted to cardiac catheterisation in the Cardiology Department of Santa Marta Hospital in whom coronary arteriovenous were detected. PATIENTS: Fourteen pts, 10 male and 4 female, with a mean age of 49 years (21-72). INTERVENTIONS: A retrospective analysis of clinical data and coronary artery anomalies was done. Whenever available, the Pulmonary Artery and the shunt (calculated through oximetries) were evaluated. RESULTS: The following pathologies were associated: rheumatic valve heart disease (3 pts), Tetralogy of Fallot (2 pts), atrial septal defect--ostium primum (1 pt), dilated cardiomyopathy (1 pt), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (1 pt), atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (2 pts). Four pts were in atrial fibrillation and the others in sinus rhythm. Four pts had normal ECG. In 6 pts there was cardiomegaly on the chest X-rays. The fistula was single in 11 pts, double in one and multiple in 2 other pts. The fistula originated from the right coronary artery in 6 pts, the left anterior descending coronary artery in 5 pts, the circumflex coronary artery in 3 pts and the left main coronary artery in one pt. Eight drained to the pulmonary artery (or its branches), 2 to the coronary sinus, one directly to the right atrium, one to the right ventricle and one to the left atrium. In only 2 pts the fistula was closed. In 6 pts the associated anomalies were corrected. With a mean follow up of 24 months (1-72), 8 pts are asymptomatic, 4 complain of slight heart failure, 3 of angina pectoris and the pt with dilated cardiomyopathy died 1 year after being studied. CONCLUSION: A male predominance was found. Most fistulae were single. The artery mostly involved was the right coronary artery and the fistula drained more often to the pulmonary artery or its branches.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Bacteremia caused by anaerobes: analysis of 131 episodes].

BACKGROUND: Despite the efficacy of modern antimicrobials bacteremia by anaerobes (AB) continues to present a high mortality rate. The aim of this study was to determine the relative frequency and clinical significance of isolations of anaerobic bacteria in blood cultures and to know the prognostic factors of AB. METHODS: From total of 231 patients observed over a period of six and a half years in the Fundación Jiménez Díaz, 131 episodes of AB were retrospectively analyzed with special attention being given to microbiologic, epidemiologic and clinical factors. RESULTS: The relative frequency of AB was 7.5%. Clinical significance was found in 86 out of the 131 episodes (66%). The isolation of Bacteroides spp. was clinically significant in 89% while Clostridium spp. was so only in 33% (p < 0.001). Mortality related with AB was 32%. The following factors were considered related to bad prognosis statistical analysis (p < 0.05): admission to medical areas, rapid and finally fatal underlying disease, presence of septic shock, renal failure, inappropriate antimicrobial treatment and the absence of drainage for the septic foci. CONCLUSIONS: Anaerobic bacteremia remains an important cause of bacteremia and carries a high mortality rate. Two thirds of the episodes of anaerobic bacteremia are deemed to be clinically significant. Correct antimicrobian treatment and surgical drainage of any septic foci significantly improves prognosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[The complications associated with the performance of heart catheterizations (diagnostic and therapeutic). The results in the Hemodynamics Laboratory of Hospital de Santa Marta].

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the morbidity and mortality with cardiac catheterization (diagnostic and intervention). DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of complications occurring within 24 h of a cardiac catheterization, in three consecutive years (1989-1991). SETTING: Patients admitted to the Haemodynamic Laboratory of Santa Marta Hospital-Lisbon. PATIENTS: 4014 patients submitted to diagnostic and interventional procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Registry analyze in order to obtain the following data: pathology, age, vascular approach and complications of cardiac catheterization. RESULTS: In three years there were 4014 cardiac procedures. 53.6% were performed in patients with coronary artery disease, 20% with valvular heart disease, 8.1% with congenital heart disease, 16.1% with others pathologies and 2.2% revealed normal vessels in coronary angiography. The incidence of ischemic heart disease was progressively higher in the studied years: 51.9% in 1989, 52.4% in 1990 and 55.2% in 1991. Data from population age showed the same tendency: mean age was 51, 53 and 55 years, respectively. Femoral approach was attempted in 95% of the studies, and the axillary in 2.15%. Complications of diagnostic and interventional cardiac procedures occurred in 3% of the patients. Dead occurred in 0.14%; arrhythmia, 0.37%; vascular, 0.14%; vasovagal/pyrogen reactions, 0.73%; myocardial infarction, 0.05%; and others, 1.58%. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization in experienced laboratories are a safe procedure with a reduced incidence of major complications.

Cardiac Catheterization↗
PubMed1993

[The recurrence of an atrial myxoma in a patient with a mechanical mitral prosthesis--apropos a case].

Recurrence of cardiac myxoma after surgery is an uncommon situation, particularly if a wide excision of the tissue under the tumour has been done. The authors report a case of a 54-year-old male presenting with a left atrial myxoma near the mitral valve, which had to be replaced by a mechanical prosthetic valve during the removal of the tumour. One year later, he was admitted to hospital with persistent fever, weight loss, and congestive heart failure. After a positive hemoculture, intravenous antibiotherapy was initiated, and twice modified because of relapsing fever. Six weeks later, he was transferred to our institution, after an episode of severe acute pulmonary edema. 2D-Doppler echocardiography suggested the possibility of prosthesis dysfunction, revealing a transprothetic diastolic flow with a high peak velocity and moderately elevated pressure half-time. No intra-atrial masses were visualized. Computed tomography was also inconclusive, because of multiple artifacts produced by the prosthesis. These results led to the performance of a cardiac catheterization with contrast ventriculography, which revealed the presence of a transprothetic gradient, and mild mitral regurgitation. The patient was submitted to cardiac surgery, which revealed a recurrent pedunculated left atrial myxoma, with mechanical obstruction of the mitral prosthetic valve. No signs of endocarditis were found. Recurrent cardiac myxomas are reviewed and discussed, as well as the specific problems of the present case, namely the presence of a mechanical prosthetic mitral valve and the initial hemoculture results, with consequent diagnostic delay.

Heart Atria↗