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Biomedical subjects

L García

Publications and source records attributed to L García.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Specificity of CK-MB enzyme in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction in the postoperative period following non-cardiac surgery].

OBJECTIVES: 1) To determine plasma concentrations of creatinphosphokinase-MB (CK-MB) enzyme during non-cardiac surgery for detecting postoperative myocardial infarction or ischemia. 2) To assess the specificity of CK-MB levels for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Three hundred twenty-eight patients were studied prospectively. Inclusion criteria were as follows: 1) presenting cardiac risk factors; 2) major surgery; and 3) presence of associated pathology, unrelated to cardiac pathology. All patients were given an electrocardiogram and CK-MB levels were determined every 8 hours over the first 24 hours and on the second and third days. Total CK was measured at 24 hours. RESULTS: AMI was detected by electrocardiogram in 3.3% of the patients. ST-segment/T-wave changes were detected in 5.7% and myocardial ischemia was found in 14.7%. Mean levels of CK-MB in patients with postoperative AMI were significantly higher than in patients without AMI. Total CK levels in patients with electrocardiographic changes were not significantly different from those of other patients. Thoracic surgery produced a significant increase in total CK but no increase in CK-MB. Patients undergoing esophageal surgery presented high initial levels of CK-MB that became normal. CONCLUSIONS: 1) The CK-MB/total CK ratio is highly specific for detection AMI after surgery. 2) Type of surgery affects total CK levels. 3) Detection of high levels of MB fraction should lead to a suspicion of myocardial damage. 4) Total CK level is not a good marker of myocardial necrosis in the postoperative period.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Mortality in the acute phase of cerebrovascular disease: the registry of La Alianza-Hospital Central of Barcelona].

BACKGROUND: Few studies have been performed on mortality from acute cerebrovascular disease (ACVD) during hospital admission, particularly in Spain. METHODS: A prospective clinical analysis was performed in 1,356 consecutive patients with ACVD included in the Registry of Cerebrovascular Disease of the Central La Alianza-Hospital in Barcelona (1986-1992) with the aim of analyzing the causes of mortality during the acute phase of the disease and the time of hospital survival. RESULTS: The mortality of the series was 16% (13% from cerebral infarction and 29% from cerebral hemorrhage; p < 0.0001). The causes of mortality were not neurologic in 49%, neurologic in 42% and of unknown cause in 9%. The principal causes of death were: transtentorial herniation/compression of the cerebral trunk (TH/CCT) 34%, pneumonia 14%, sepsis 14% and heart disease 11%. TH/CCT was more frequent on hemorrhage than on cerebral infarction (50% vs 27%; p < 0.001) while heart diseases were more frequent in cerebral infarction (14% vs 3%, p < 0.03). TH/CCT was the most common cause of death during the first seven days, with the pneumonia-sepsis-pulmonary thromboembolism being the most common after the third week. On the other hand, heart disease and sudden death showed homogeneous presentation with regard to frequency. CONCLUSIONS: The causes of death during the acute phase of acute cerebrovascular disease are principally non neurologic (49%) being potentially preventable with the most frequent causes of death being from pneumonia, sepsis and pulmonary thromboembolism. Mortality of these patients may be decreased on correct diagnosis and treatment.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1994

[Peroperative myocardial infarction and myocardial ischemia in non cardiac surgery: prevalence and predictive factors].

BACKGROUND: The decrease in the prevalence of infarction in the population has not been accompanied by a reduction in postinfarct mortality, particularly in the population segment which does not present major symptoms of coronary disease. The aim of the present study was to determine the incidence and predictive factors of cardiac complications in patients undergoing non cardiac surgery. METHODS: Eight hundred seventy-five patients undergoing elective surgery from May 1990-1991 had some of the following criteria: history of heart disease, major surgery, and medical risk other than cardiac. A sample of 328 patients was selected to whom an ECG an CK-MB isoenzyme test were performed on admission, every 8 h, and at the second and third days. Infarction or ischemia were diagnosed by electrocardiographic and enzymatic criteria. Minimum follow up was 72 hours. RESULTS: IAM was diagnosed in 10 cases (3%, confidence interval 95%, 2 to 4%) and ischemia in 47 cases (14%, CI 95%, 11 to 18%). Operative mortality of cardiac origin was 4% (CI 95%, 2 to 6%). Arrhythmia not preoperatively present was detected in 11%, hemodynamic instability in 25%, and sinusal tachycardia in 21%. Other complications were: abdominal 12%, respiratory 14%, neurologic 6% and renal 4%. The appearance of cardiac complications was related with: ASA classification (p < 0.05), previous history of heart disease (p < 0.01), cardiovascular drug administration (p < 0.01) and changes in preoperative electrocardiogram (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that patients with changes of the ST-T segment in the preoperative ECG should undergo examination to determine the degree of cardiac involvement. A strict peroperative hemodynamic control may reduce the prevalence of cardiac complications in those patients at high risk.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Phase II study of transarterial embolization in European patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: need for controlled trials.

Our uncontrolled phase II study was aimed at assessing the efficacy of transarterial embolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and to determine the parameters associated with a favorable response to treatment, improved survival or both. Fifty consecutive patients (25 corresponding to Okuda's stage I and 25 to stage II) with hepatocellular carcinoma (41 being multinodular or massive) were included. Transarterial embolization induced a self limited postembolization syndrome that was well tolerated. Nevertheless, three patients died shortly after the procedure because of tumor progression (two cases) or progressive liver failure. A favorable response (extensive necrosis with reduction of tumor area greater than 50%) was achieved in 81% of the cases, and this result was independently (p < 0.05) related to a preserved performance status and to a lower alpha-fetoprotein concentration. The survival of the patients at 1 and 2 yr was 65% and 38%, respectively, better than the expected survival according to a mathematical model obtained from a historical series of untreated cases (42% and 20%, respectively). Cox regression analysis disclosed that both a favorable therapeutic response and a preserved physical condition (reflected by performance status of 0 or 1) were independently associated with better survival (regression coefficient -2.248 and 0.869, respectively). These data indicate that transarterial embolization has a marked antitumoral effect in patients with inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma and that the therapeutic success is associated with improved survival. Nevertheless, because the potential benefit for survival observed in this uncontrolled study appears to be moderate, prospective controlled trials to ascertain the real usefulness of this therapeutic approach are mandatory.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

[An analysis of 1000 consecutive patients with acute cerebrovascular disease. The registry of cerebrovascular disease of La Alianza-Hospital Central of Barcelona].

BACKGROUND: Registries of cerebral vascular disease (CVD) are useful in the study of the natural history of acute cerebrovascular disease (ACBD). Nonetheless there are few series which analyze the different stroke subtypes (SS) of CVD. METHODS: A descriptive and comparative clinical analysis was performed of the different SS of CVD from the registry of CVD of the La Alianza-Central Hospital of Barcelona (Spain). A prospective study of 1,000 consecutive patients with ACVD admitted in the Neurology Department from 1986-1991 was carried out. The registry recommended by the Study Group of Cerebrovascular Diseases of the Sociedad Española de Neurología (SEN) were used and the stroke subtypes classified in agreement with the Glossary of Neurology of the SEN. RESULTS: The mean age of the series was of 71 +/- 13 years with 537 patients being males. The frequency of the stroke subtypes in focal cerebral ischemia (FCI) was: thrombotic infarction 26%, lacunar infarction 16.9%, essential infarction 14.8%, cardioembolic infarction 12.4%, transient ischemic attacks 9% and infarction of unusual cause 3.5%. The frequency of the SS in cerebral hemorrhage (CH) was: intraparenchymatous hemorrhage 14.1%, subarachnoid hemorrhage 2.0%, subdural hematoma 1.2% and epidural hematoma 0.1%. Mortality of the series was 16.7% predominating in CH (28%) versus FCI (14%) (p < 0.00001). This was found to be greatest in cases of intraparenchymatous hemorrhage (31%) and in the cardioembolic infarction (28%) and lowest in the lacunar infarctions (0.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The most common stroke subtypes were those of thrombotic infarctions, lacunar infarctions and intraparenchymal hemorrhages. Essential infarctions constitute 14.8% of acute cerebral vascular disease. The classification of cerebral vascular disease in its different subtypes is recommendable since this has prognostic and therapeutic implications.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1993

[Thyroid nodule disease in a previously endemic goiter area].

We conducted a 6-year study of 110 patients with thyroid nodular disease in a previously goitrogenic area. The aim of the present work was to establish its incidence, to determine if multinodular goiter and autonomous thyroid nodule have the same analytical and clinical behaviour and to verify if the iodation campaign had resulted in the development of thyrotoxicosis induced by iodine. The results demonstrated an incidence of 0.4 per 1,000 population and per year. The two modalities of thyroid nodular disease did not present any clinical and analytical differences. 58.2% of the patients had hyperthyroidism, 53.1% of which were T-4 thyrotoxicosis, 12.5% T-3 thyrotoxicosis and 34.4%, subclinical hyperthyroidism. 8.2% of the patients under study had hyperthyroidism induced by iodine (Jod Basedow), with iodide excretion values higher that 3 standard deviations with respect to the population average (> 220 micrograms/g creatinine).

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Local synthesis of immunoglobulins in neuropathies].

It is essential to know how the immune system acts in different neurological diseases, some of them non very well known or of unknown etiology at all. It was applied Reiber and Felgenhauer's formula in 56 patients with different diseases. IgA, IgM, IgG and albumin were quantified in sera and cerebrospinal fluid by simple immunodiffusion. It was observed more frequent IgG local synthesis and IgA in this sample.

Humans↗
PubMed1993

[Splenectomy in childhood. Review of a case load].

We review the cases of splenectomy performed in children between 1974 and 1988. During this period, we performed 24 splenectomy procedures, none of which were done as a result of injury. Most patients were between 5 to 10 years of age and had the splenectomy as a result of hemolytic disease. Antibiotic prophylaxis and anti-pneumococcic vaccination preceded splenectomy, resulting in a low morbidity and mortality. This report emphasizes the indications for splenectomy, a decrease in its frequency, variations in its etiology and the low incidence of surgical complications.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1993

[A urinary outbreak of Acinetobacter baumanii in a spinal cord injury unit].

From January 1990 to April 1992, 114 urinary strains of Acinetobacter baumanii were isolated in 57 patients with traumatic spinal cord [correction of medular] injury. The strains were characterized by having all of them the same biochemical identification, except for citrate, maltose and tryptophan-desaminase. Until December 1990, (5 strains) were resistant to all antibiotics, except to tobramicine, amikacine, cotrimoxazol and imipenem (6.3%, 33.9%, 26.7% and 0% of resistances, respectively); since January 1991, (99 strains) became resistant to all of them, except to imipenem. 39.5% of AB were isolated in pure cultures, 46% of them with pyuria. Between February 1991 and January 1992, we observed the highest number of affected patients, although without seasonal predominance. We observed as well a higher incidence among males (46 males, 11 females). 80% of them carried a permanent probe. Only 6 patients presented clinical signs directly related to AB. The environmental study could not demonstrate any source of contagion or transmission mechanism.

Acinetobacter Infections↗
PubMed1992

Legionellae isolated from clinical and environmental samples in Spain (1983-90): monoclonal typing of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 isolates.

Legionella isolates recovered in 21 different Spanish provinces over 8 years from both clinical (67 isolates) and environmental (181) samples, mostly from case-associated buildings, are described; 92.5% of clinical isolates were L. pneumophila serogroup 1 (SG1), only five isolates belonging to other species or serogroups: two L. pneumophila SG6, two SG8 and one L. bozemanii SG1 not clearly related with clinical infection. L. pneumophila SG1 accounted for 53.6% of isolates from the environment, followed by SG8 (27.6%), SG3 (9.4%) and SG6 (7.2%). Three isolates were labelled as SG8/10. Subtyping of L. pneumophila SG1 by the standardized panel of monoclonal antibodies revealed 90.3% of clinical and 78.3% of environmental isolates as belonging to Pontiac subgroup. Pontiac isolates were further divided into 55.3% Philadelphia 1 or Allentown 1, 21.9% Benidorm 030E and 20.4% Knoxville 1. Characterization of samples from four outbreaks in which both clinical and environmental isolates had been recovered permitted the recognition of three Philadelphia 1 or Allentown 1 and one Knoxville 1 strains as the aetiological agents.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1992

[Normal values of hemoglobin, hematocrit, blood coagulation factors, and fibrinolysis in New Zealand white rabbits].

PURPOSE: To assess the normal rates of several haematological parameters along with coagulation and fibrinolysis values. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Male white New Zealand rabbits weighting between 1.5 and 2.5 kg. were used in variable amounts for each test (117-102). The following haematological determinations were carried out: haemoglobin, haematocrit, platelet count, and peripheral blood cell morphology. Prothrombin time, kaolin-activated partial thromboplastin time and thrombin time were assessed as well. Fibrinogen, plasminogen, prothrombin, factor V, factor X and factor XIII assays were also performed, along with tests for fibrinolytic activity and assay of fibrin and fibrinogen degradation products. All tests were compared with samples of pooled human and rabbit plasma. A statistical study was carried out including mean, mode, standard deviation, variation coefficient, confidence interval and chi square test plus Kolmogorow-Smirnoff test for normality assessment. RESULTS: The curves attained after plotting the figures for haematocrit, haemoglobin, platelet count, kaolin-activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time and factors II and X approached the normal values (p > 0.05). Asymmetric curves were achieved for fibrinogen, prothrombin time and plasminogen (p < 0.005). Rabbit anti-fibrinogen serum reacted with rabbit plasma and fibrinogen, but failed to react against human samples. No fibrin and/or fibrinogen degradation products were detected and no fibrinolytic activity was observed on fibrin plate assays. CONCLUSIONS: White New Zealand rabbits have values for haemoglobin, haematocrit and fibrinogen similar to the human ones. On the contrary, factors V, X and XIII, along with plasminogen, are in higher concentration, especially the former. Factor II is present at about half the human concentration. No fibrinolytic activity could be demonstrated with the methods used here.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Further physicochemical characterization of the monocyte locomotion inhibition factor (MLIF) produced by Entamoeba histolytica.

Ultrafiltration, gel-sieve chromatography and HPLC were used to purify MLIF. This material was HCl-hydrolyzed and the amino acids analyzed by HPLC-ortho-ophthaldialdehyde. Two hydrophobic non-polar (ile,leu), two uncharged polar (thr,tyr) and two positively charged (basic) (his, arg) amino acids were found in clear excess to their concentration in AMC and thus may intervene in the composition of MLIF.

Amino Acids↗