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M López Rodríguez

Publications and source records attributed to M López Rodríguez.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

[Endothelial dysfunction and vasculitis: a close relationship].

Endothelial dysfunction (ECD) is implicated in the etiopathogenesis of several entities, with special interest and new perspectives in collagen diseases and vasculitis. ECD precedes development of atherosclerotic coronary damage and thrombotic events, with accelerated atherogenesis. Mechanisms of ECD that are involved in vasculitis are not simply due to focal vascular inflammation, since it may be caused by inflammatory systemic mediators, for example C reactive protein and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha. We already have preliminary studies about specific ECD treatment in vasculitis, with drugs such as anti-TNF.

Endothelium, Vascular↗

[Cost-effectiveness of computerized axial tomography in the diagnosis of traditional clinical picture of fever of unknown origin].

Diagnostic strategy in fever of unknown origin has been changing in recent decades. The objective of this study is to define the role of thoracoabdominal computerized axial tomography in the first diagnostic stage. A sample of 24 patients with classical fever of unknown origin from our hospital Internal Medicine department was selected between January 1995 and December 2002. Cost-effectiveness of diagnostic thoracoabdominal computerized axial tomography compared to that of abdominal echography was analyzed; the information obtained with both diagnostic techniques for the final diagnosis was also evaluated. Computerized axial tomography contributed data suggestive of the diagnosis in 10 of 24 patients (41.7%); abdominal echography only gave orienting information to the diagnosis in 2 cases (8%). In 9 (90%) of the 10 patients with computerized axial tomography specific alterations, a conclusive definitive diagnosis (with analysis of biological sample) was possible. Accordingly, the use of this technique is justified at the beginning of the study of the classical fever unknown origin in order to orient the clinician to resort to other more directed and specific diagnostic techniques and with higher diagnostic cost-effectiveness.

Adolescent↗

[Clinical-biological and radiological study of Wegener's granulomatosis in a university hospital].

UNLABELLED: Wegener's granulomatosis is a rare systemic vasculitis that fundamentally affects the kidney and respiratory tract. Although the histological findings are very characteristic, they do not occur in all cases, which makes diagnosis difficult. METHODS: The main clinical, biological and radiological characteristics of 13 cases of Wegener's granulomatosis diagnosed in a university hospital of the center of Spain are collected in this present paper. RESULTS: The majority of the patients were men in their 50's. Fever and general syndrome were usual presentations of the disease. Upper respiratory tract (10 cases) and lung involvement (9), followed by renal involvement (8), were the most common. Alveolar infiltrates and bilateral nodules were the most common findings in the X-ray and thoracic CT scan, although the latter permits a greater definition of the lesions. Measurement of antibodies against cytoplasma of the neutrophils (ANCA) was positive in 8 patients (6 cANCA and 2 pANCA). Renal biopsy was used most for the histologic diagnosis, where focal and segmental glomerulonephritis was the most common finding. The majority of the patients received steroids plus cyclophosphamide as induction treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Wegener's disease is a rare systemic vasculitis. The existence of hematuria or respiratory tract involvement in a patient with fever suggests the diagnosis. Conducting a CT scan and ANCAs measurement are useful tools for its diagnosis, since the histology is not definitive.

Adolescent↗

[Prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting in gynecologic surgery with 3 fixed doses of metoclopramide, droperidol or placebo].

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy and side effects of three doses of metoclopramide, droperidol or placebo administered every 8 h to prevent nausea and vomiting during the first 24 h after surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective, double blind study of 104 patients scheduled for major intraabdominal gynecological surgery under general anesthesia. The patients were randomly assigned to three groups: group M received 10 mg of metoclopramide, group D received 1.25 mg of droperidol and group P received a saline solution. The patients were premedicated with oral diazepam. All patients were anesthetized using similar techniques, with fentanyl, thiopental, vecuronium, oxygen/nitrogen protoxide and isoflurane. Muscle relaxation was reversed with atropine and neostigmine. Postoperative analgesia was given with endovenous morphine and metamizol. Immediately after surgery each patient received an endovenous dose of the assigned antiemetic drug. Patients were monitored for 24 h and observations were recorded every hour on the following scale: 0, for no emetic symptoms, 1 for nausea and 2 for vomiting. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (42.9%) in group D, 21 (60% in group M and 19 (54.3%) in group P experienced nausea during the 24 h after surgery, with no significant differences. However, the incidence of vomiting was significantly lower in group D, with 7 patients (20%) vomiting in group D versus 11 patients (31.43%) in group M and 17 (50%) in group P. Side effects were mild and required no treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Droperidol at a dose of 1.25 mg every 8 h is effective and safe for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting and has minimal side effects. Metoclopramide at a dose of 10 mg every 8 h, in our study, was no better for the same purpose than placebo.

Adult↗

[Biochemical control after external radiotherapy in localized prostatic cancer: results of a modern cohort].

PURPOSE: The present study reports biochemical outcomes of a modern series of patients with localised prostate cancer treated with external beam radiation therapy, and analyses the implications of the nadir PSA levels in monitoring outcome after treatment. METHODS: From March 1993 to March 1997, eighty three patients with clinical stages T1-T3 NxM0 prostate cancer received definitive external radiation therapy, median dose 66 Gy (range 60 to 68 Gy). Adjuvant androgen deprivation was associated in 53 high risk patients. Initial response to treatment was defined as a decrease of serum PSA to levels of < or = 1.5 ng/ml, and biochemical failure as three consecutive PSA rises over post-treatment nadir PSA value. RESULTS: The 3-year actuarial BDFS was 78% +/- 7 for the whole series, 74% +/- 12 for patients treated with radiotherapy alone, and 71% +/- 10 for high risk patients treated with combination therapy (p = 0.27). Only nPSA emerged as a potential indicator of biochemical control. The probability of BDFS at 3 years was 82%, 83% and 40% for nPSA of < or = 1 ng/ml, 1-2 ng/ml and > 2 ng/ml respectively (p = 0.0409). In multivariate analysis, this correlation was independent on the effect of other variables and persisted after adjusting for the effect of hormonal therapy (p = 0.0540). CONCLUSION: Radiation therapy is a potentially curative treatment for prostate carcinoma. Our data indicate that the nadir PSA value after radiation can be an excellent early determinant of outcome.

Adenocarcinoma↗