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Introduction and Objectives: Atrioventricular block (AVB) in the presence of bradycardic drugs (BD) can be reversible, and pacemaker implantation is controversial. Our objective was to analyze the pacemaker implantation rate in the mid-term, after BD suspension, and to identify predictive factors., Methods: We performed a cohort study that included patients attending the emergency department with high-grade AVB in the context of BD. We studied the persistence of AVB after BD discontinuation, recurrence in patients with AVB resolution, and the predictive variables associated with pacemaker requirement at 3 years., Results: Of 127 patients included (age, 79 [71-83] years), BAV resolved in 60 (47.2%); among these patients, recurrence occurred during the 24-month median follow-up in 40 (66.6%). Pacemaker implantation was required in 107 patients (84.3%), despite BD discontinuation. On multivariable analysis, the variables associated with pacemaker need at 3 years were heart rate <35 bpm (OR, 8.12; 95%CI, 1.82-36.17), symptoms other than syncope (OR, 4.09; 95%CI, 1.18-14.13), and wide QRS (OR, 5.65; 95%CI, 1.77-18.04). Concomitant antiarrhythmic treatment was associated with AVB resolution (OR, 0.12; 95%CI, 0.02-0.66)., Conclusions: More than 80% of patients with AVB secondary to BD require pacemaker implantation despite drug discontinuation. Predictive variables were wide QRS, heart rate <35 bpm, and clinical presentation other than syncope., (Copyright © 2019 Sociedad Española de Cardiología. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Acute respiratory infections are the main reason for pediatric visits both to physician's offices and emergency departments. Bronchiolitis is an acute viral respiratory disease that affects about 10% of infants each year and mostly those under age two. The aim of this study was to identify demographic, epidemiological characteristics and risk factors associated with cases of bronchiolitis admitted to the Manati Medical Center (MMC). In addition, we tried to establish the basis for the development of strategies to prevent of hospitalizations and complications in our Institution. A retrospective descriptive study was conducted in the pediatric wing of MMC in Manati, Puerto Rico between January and December 2009. A total of 508 children were included, 58 % of them male. The average age and weight were 12 +/- 5.3 months and 8.1 +/- 1.4 kg, respectively. We observed a higher predisposition among males as well as a statistically significant relationship between breastfeeding and protection from the disease. No relationship was observed between preterm birth and the parents' smoking habit and the development of the disease. However, the latter factor influences the length of hospital stay. The risk of bronchiolitis was seasonal with a peak between October and November. The presence of respiratory syncitial virus was confirmed in 67 % of the cases.

Background and Objetive: Obesity is a disease that affects a large part of the population and has been associated with worse outcomes after cardiac surgery. The aim of our study is to evaluate the consequences of obesity related to postoperative complications, hospital length of stay and mortality., Methods: Observational, prospective, multicenter study of patients included in ARIAM registry of adult cardiac surgery between March 2008 to March 2011. We analyzed clinical variables, the surgical procedure, postoperative complications and mortality, comparing the group of patients with body mass index (BMI) greater or less than 30 kg/m(2)., Results: The study included 4,172 patients with a mean age of 64.03 (SD 12.08) years, BMI 28.53 (4.7) and EuroSCORE 5.58 (2.91). In 1,490 patients (35.7%) BMI was greater than 30. There were no differences in the development of overall postoperative complications (33% in obese and non-obese 35.8%, P=.07), although there were less appreciated reoperation rate or stroke (P<.05), as well as further development postoperative renal failure (P=.009). After adjusting for severity and length of cardio by pass time, obese patients had lower mortality without being statistically significant. OR 0.94 (0.79-1.04). There were no differences in ICU length of stay, but obese patients had greater Ward length of stay 9.04 (10.43) vs. 8.18 (9.2) days, P=.01., Conclusions: Obese patients undergoing cardiac surgery have a mortality, rate of complications and length of stay similar to non-obese. Obese patients required less reoperations but developed more frequently postoperative renal failure., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To determine the degree of activity in the field of secondary prevention of alcohol and/or drug abuse in trauma patients in Spain., Material and Methods: We surveyed 76 hospitals located in all the autonomous regions of Spain. We collected information about the number of severe trauma patients admitted to the ICU per year, the detection of alcohol and drugs in these patients, and the activity for secondary prevention through motivational intervention among other approaches., Results: Of the 76 hospitals surveyed, 66 responded and only one carried out any secondary prevention activity through motivational intervention. Most of the hospitals surveyed (64.5%, 40/62) did not know of the possibility of secondary prevention through motivational intervention and (29%, 18/62) did not have the resources to carry it out. Asked whether they screened trauma patients for drugs and/or alcohol, 15.6% of centers responded "always" 37.5% (24/64) "usually", and 40.6% only "sometimes"., Conclusion: Most centers surveyed are unaware of the usefulness of secondary prevention in trauma patients. This lack of awareness may be responsible for the lack of activity in this field in Spain. A plan to increase awareness, including educational interventions, is necessary to promote secondary prevention of alcohol and drug abuse among trauma patients.

Objective: To determine whether the usual mortality prediction systems (APACHE and SAPS) can be complemented by cranial computed tomography (CT) brain herniation findings in patients with structural neurological involvement., Design: Prospective cohort study., Setting: Trauma ICU in university hospital., Patients: One hundred and fifty five patients admitted to ICU in 2003 with cranial trauma or acute stroke., Main Variables of Interest: Data were collected on age, diagnosis, mortality, admission cranial CT findings and on APACHE II, APACHE III and SAPS II scores., Results: Mean age was 47.8 +/- 19.4 years; APACHE II, 17.1 +/- 7.2 points; SAPS II, 43.7 +/- 17.7 points; and APACHE III, 55.8 +/- 29.7 points. Hospital mortality was 36% and mortality predicted by SAPS II was 38%, by APACHE II 30% and by APACHE III 36%. The 56 non-survivors showed greater midline shift on cranial CT scan versus survivors (4.2 +/- 5.5 vs. 1.6 +/- 3.22 mm, p = 0.002) and higher severity as assessed by SAPS II, APACHE II and APACHE III. The mortality rate was significantly higher in patients with subfalcial herniation (61% vs. 30%, p < 0.001). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, hospital mortality was associated with the likelihood of death according to APACHE III (OR 1.07; 95% CI: 1.05-1.09) and with presence of subfalcial herniation (OR 3.15; 95% CI: 1.07-9.25)., Conclusions: In critical care patients with structural neurological involvement, cranial CT signs of subfalcial herniation complement the prognostic information given by the usual severity indexes.

Background: To assess the performance of the prediction equation of the APACHE(Acute Physiology Age and Chronic Health Evaluation) III prognostic scoring system when applied in Spain., Patients and Method: Prospective multicenter cohort study that included 10786 adult patients from 86 Spanish intensive care units (ICU). Data collection during first 24 hours of admission: acute physiology score, age and comorbilties,for calculating APACHE III score; treatment location prior to ICU admission and main diagnosis admission category for applying the mortality prediction equation of APACHE III system. Main outcome was observed hospital mortality., Results: Age was 57.74 (0.16); 68% males. Non-operative patients represented 76% of sample. APACHE III score was 53.75(0.26); observed and predicted hospital mortality were 21.2% and 19.8% respectively, with a standardized mortality ration of 1.07. The Chi2 Hosmer-Lemershow statistic was (H) 135.6, (C) 133.91: p < 0.001. The area under the Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) was 0.808, and correct classification at mortality risk of 50% was 82%. Uniformity of fit was better for non-operative diagnoses and for patients admitted from the emergency area. Calibration was excellent for risk lower than 60% but slightly underestimated observed risks above this level., Conclusions: The American APACHE III equation fit well when applied to Spanish critical patients but with limitations. Discrepancies could be attributed to differences in case-mix and variations in practice style.