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Hypertension has become a central risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease, underscoring the importance of its accurate diagnosis. Numerous studies have established a close relationship between elevated systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure and an increased risk of cardiovascular event (CVE). Traditionally, blood pressure (BP) measurements performed in clinical settings have been the main method for diagnosing and assessing hypertension. However, in recent years, it has been recognized that BP measurements obtained outside the clinical setting, using self-monitoring blood pressure (SMBP) and ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), offer a more realistic perspective of patients' daily lives and therefore provide more reliable results. Given the evolution of medical devices, diagnostic criteria, and the increasing relevance of certain components of ABPM in the prediction of adverse cardiovascular outcomes, a comprehensive update that is practical for daily clinical practice is required. The main objective of this article is to provide an updated review of ABPM, focusing on its importance in the evaluation of hypertension and its impact on public health in Colombia. In addition, it will discuss the implications of changes in diagnostic thresholds and provide concrete recommendations for the effective implementation of ABPM in clinical practice, allowing health professionals to make informed decisions and improve the care of their patients., (Copyright © 2024 SEH-LELHA. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction and Objective: Age at onset in bipolar disorder is related to prognosis and to treatment response. However, it is not clear if there are three or two subgroups in relation to age at onset. The objective of this study is to analyze the number of subgroups in relation to age at the beginning of the disease in a representative sample of bipolar I patients and to compare the subgroups in relation to clinical variables., Method: We included 169 patients diagnosed with bipolar I disorder. Normal mixture analysis was performed. The subgroups of patients formed above were compared regarding clinical characteristics. Patients were followed-up during six years., Results: We found three ages at onset subgroups. The early onset group (18.2±2 years) included 34% of the patients. The second group (26.1±5.5 years) included 44% of the patients. The third group (50.9±9.1 years) included 22% of the patients. Early and intermediate onset groups were not significantly different, and had more family history of affective disorders, more psychotic symptoms, more history of suicide attempts and more history of drug abuse history than the late onset group., Conclusions: Our results suggest that there are three groups of age at onset but early and intermediate groups are similar in relation to clinical variables. The late onset group includes almost a quartile of patients and has different clinical profile., (Copyright © 2009 Sociedad Española de Psiquiatría and Sociedad Española de Psiquiatría Biológica. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Background and Objective: The EPIC (Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite) is a specific questionnaire for patients with prostate cancer designed to evaluate the impact of treatments on their quality of life. It contains 50 items divided in 4 summaries: urinary, intestinal, sexual and hormonal. The objective was to adapt the EPIC to Spanish and to evaluate its metric characteristics., Method: The method followed for the adaptation included translation and back-translation. The metric characteristics were evaluated in 50 patients from each treatment -prostatectomy, brachytherapy and external radiotherapy-, all of whom were administered the EPIC, SF-36 and FACT (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy) pre and post intervention. Reliability was evaluated with the Cronbach alpha coefficient. Construct validity was assessed by means of correlations between subscales of the EPIC and questionnaires, and comparing the patients with and without hormonal therapy (T-test). In order to value sensitivity to change, the standardized effect size was calculated after the intervention., Results: The Cronbach's alpha of the EPIC summaries was high (0.66-0.89). The correlations between the EPIC and the FACT were near or higher than 0.4. Differences were found in the hormonal and sexual summaries between the patients with and without hormonal therapy (p<0.01). The standardized effect size was large (>0.8) in the urinary (3 groups) and sexual (group of prostatectomy) summary, and moderate in the intestinal summary (0.6 and 0.7) for the 2 groups of radiotherapy., Conclusions: The Spanish version of the EPIC is reliable, valid and presents an excellent sensitivity to change, being a useful tool to compare the impact in the quality of life of the 3 treatments.

We present a case involving a rare form of cyanotic congenital heart disease in a 2-month-old neonate. The initial diagnosis was thought to be tricuspid dysplasia with right-to-left shunting through an interatrial communication. However, surgery showed the presence of a pedunculated mass that prolapsed into the tricuspid valve orifice, thereby causing severe obstruction to right ventricular filling. This mass was attached to the lower part of the atrial septum. Pathological examination showed fibrotic myxoid tissue. After the mass was resected surgically, the tricuspid valve appeared normal. We comment on the pathogenesis and the differential diagnosis of this rare entity.

Introduction and Objectives: The Fontan procedure was designed to palliate complex congenital heart disease with univentricular physiology. A retrospective study was made to document the determinants of early (/= 31 days) mortality with the modified Fontan procedure performed in one-stage over a 22-year period., Material and Methods: Between 1978 and 2000, 102 atriopulmonary, 16 cavopulmonary, and 6 Kawashima type anastomoses were performed to palliate complex congenital heart defects in 124 patients with a mean age of 7.3 4.7 years. Forty-five patient and procedure-related variables were analyzed in relation to mortality. All events were verified., Results: There were 29 early (23%) and 20 late (16%) deaths. Estimated survival at 30 days, 2 years, 5 years, and 20 years was 78, 75, 66, and 50%, respectively. Subaortic stenosis, protein-losing enteropathy, and arrythmia were observed in 8, 5 and 33 patients, respectively, after surgery. Univariate and multivariable analysis indicated that left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (>/= 13 mmHg), mean pulmonary pressure (>/= 19 mmHg), mitral stenosis/atresia, atrioventricular valve regurgitation, visceral heterotaxia, absence of fenestration, risk factors criteria, duration of extracorporeal circulation, and operative technique were associated with early mortality. Reoperation, arrhythmia, and pacemaker implantation were predictors of late death. Forty percent remained free from surgical or catheter reintervention after Fontan operation at 20 years., Conclusions: The outcome of Fontan procedure is profoundly affected by patient-related variables (ventricular function and pulmonary circulation). Postoperative arrhythmia and reoperation shortened the lifespan of the Fontan circulation model in patients with atriopulmonary connections. Total cavopulmonary anastomosis improves the physiology of univentricular circulation. In the light of our findings, the modified Fontan procedure (one or two stages) should be performed early in life to better preserve ventricular and pulmonary vascular function.

We made a revision of 34 cases of intracerebral supurations (31 brain abscesses and 3 subdural empyemas) treated at our department of neurosurgery of "Mutua de Terrassa" during the period of 1989-2000. Treatment used was tapping of the abscess and aspiration in 28 cases and craneotomy and resection in only two cases. Three subdural empyemas were treated with burr-holes and aspiration. Results were evaluated using the Glasgow Outcome Scale at 6 months after discharge, resulting in 7 deaths (20.6%), 17 fully recovered patients (50%) and 10 with minor deficits (29.4%). Glasgow Coma Score at admission and the age were the unique variables significantly correlated with the final outcome. After analyzing the cost of treatment in our patients we suggest using antibiotic ambulatory treatment when the disease shows an adequate clinical and radiological response, thus permitting to shorten the usually long period of hospitalization of patients with intracerebral supurative diseases.

Introduction and Objectives: A divided left atrium because of cor triatriatum is a relatively rare cardiac anomaly requiring corrective surgery. We describe here our clinical and surgical experience with this congenital heart defect as well as the different medium and long term diagnostic, surgical and evolution aspects., Patients and Methods: From 1981 to 1999, 15 children with cor triatriatum without complex associated cardiovascular defects underwent surgery at a mean age of 13 months (excision of the obstructive membrane). The surgical reports were reviewed and the clinical and echocardiographic data were analyzed before and after the intervention; six of these patients (40%) were referred to operating room only with the 2-D echo Doppler technique and color flow mapping information. The follow-up period ranged from 8 months to 19.3 years., Results: Diagnosis was confirmed during the surgical procedure. One 9 month old patient died 60 days after a successful corrective surgery because of sepsis (7%). No late deaths or reoperations were found in the follow-up period. All 14 patients who survived the operation have a functional class I (NYHA), and they are asymptomatic in the follow-up. The overall survival rate was 93% (70% CI: 87-90)., Conclusions: Corrective surgery with excision of the obstructive membrane dividing the left atrium restores normal anatomic, hemodynamic and clinical status in children with cor triatriatum without complex associated defects.

Postoperative thrombosis after the Fontan procedure has been well noted in the literature, and its risk factors are also well known. In contrast, thrombosis after the bilateral cavo-pulmonary shunt (Glenn) has been rarely reported and almost always occurs around the anastomosis itself or near it, mainly causing pulmonary embolism. We present 2 cases with cerebral embolism 2-7 months after pulmonary artery closure and Glenn procedure, due to dislodgement of a thrombus in the proximal pulmonary artery stump. Based on these two cases and a few others reported in the literature, we want to call the attention to this new cause of thromboembolism after Glenn and stimulate discussion about its incidence, risk factors and preventive measures.

This report describes the unusual association between the interruption of the aortic arch type B and aortopulmonary window type II in a neonate. When the patient was 20 days old, a one-stage surgical repair was done through left side thoracotomy without circulatory by-pass, making a left carotid artery to descending aorta anastomosis, closing the window with a hemaclip, respectively. A routine 2-D Doppler color echocardiography performed in the immediate postoperative period showed the absence of blood flow in the right pulmonary artery. The patient required a new intervention, changing the position of the clip in order to restore the normal pulmonary blood flow. Eight months after surgery, the "neoaortic arch" grows in harmony with the body surface area, without signs of cerebral circulatory deficiency or significant gradient at any level.

Background: To communicate at clinical value of an isolation of Actinomyces radingae from an ulcerated lesion the external supra-malleolus region., Material and Methods: We proceed to study the clinical and bacteriological value of an isolated aerobic gram positive rod in pure culture obtained from an ulcerated lesion ocated at the external supra-malleolus region of a 92 years old woman in whom there was later evidence of an epidermoid carcinoma. Surgical and antibiotic treatment were needed. The biochemistry characterization of the isolated was carried out according to the schemes of Weaver-Hollis and Funke et al, as well as the characterization of the fat acids of their cellular wall by gas-liquid chromatography., Results: The isolated was identified as Actinomyces radingae. The patient follow-up was satisfactory after the treatment., Conclusion: The first infection description by Actinomyces radingae is reported wherein its pathological value is evident as it is isolated in pure culture.

Introduction: The stent has demonstrated to be a useful device in the prevention of postangioplasty coronary restenosis and it is expected to have a favourable effect as an alternative or complementary treatment of stenotic lesions in arteries or veins associated with congenital defects. The aim of this study is to analyze our experience in this setting., Material and Methods: From February 1992 to March 1996, 28 stenting procedures were performed in 26 patients (mean age: 8.6 +/- 0.7 years; mean weight: 26.2 +/- 3 kg). In 12 patients, stenting was single, and a iliac Palmaz stents were always used. Stenting location was: pulmonary artery branches in 17 patients, right ventricular outflow in 2 patients, in the junction of right atrium with pulmonary artery in 2 patients, systemic veins in 2 patients and in post Mustard intratrial channel stenosis in 2 patients. 25 patients had previously undergone at least one surgical procedure., Results: The stenotic diameter of the treated lesions increased significantly after the procedure (4.4 +/- 0.3 mm before stenting vs 11.6 +/- 0.3 mm after stenting, p < 0.0001) and the transtenotic gradient decreased from 38.1 +/- 5 to 12 +/- 3.8 mmHg. Those changes were associated with a diminution of right ventricular pressure (81.6 +/- 3 vs 56.7 +/- 6 mmHg, p < 0.0001) in patients with pulmonary branch stenosis without septal defects. There was no mortality among the percutaneously treated patients and only one patient needed surgery. Nevertheless, one patient died after bilateral intraoperative stenting., Conclusion: The treatment of proximal or distal stenotic lesions in the pulmonary tree, systemic veins, and obstructed intraatrial channels with stents, can replace or complement conventional balloon angioplasty. It also offers a useful and effective alternative to surgery, when it is impossible or carries a risk.

Objective: To determine the incidence and epidemiological characteristics of adverse drug reactions (ADR) and to assess their relevance in primary health care., Design: An open prospective descriptive study., Patients: All patients cared for in one primary health care centre during 2 months., Measurements and Main Results: 73 ADR were detected during the period of study (two of which corresponded to pediatric patients) with an incidence of 1.35% in adult general medicine and 0.36% in pediatric medicine. 67% of the patients were female, and all adult patients were distributed into three age groups (15-44, 45-64 and > or = 65 years of age). The frequency of ADR was similar in all three age groups. The ADR were most present in the GI tract, central nervous system, general symptoms and skin. Among the most frequently pharmacological groups implicated in the ADR were cardiovascular drugs, antibiotics and drugs for the central nervous system. Only in 12 cases the ADR was considered as clinically relevant, according with the criteria of the participating physicians; in 6 cases they were evaluated as avoidable., Conclusions: The ADR are not a relevant clinical problem, nor are they frequent in the outpatients primary health care. In most cases there are slight and self-limiting, which appeared in a limited number of patients. However clinically relevant and important ADRs appeared in 0.1-0.3% of the consultations, which, in practice, represent one to two serious ADRs per month and physician.

The translation into Spanish of the AUA/International Prostatic Symptom (AUA/IPS) Score hadn't been validated in spanish. METHODS. AUA/IPS questionnaire was self administered by 103 consecutive patients and by 24 healthy volunteers. An alternative formulation to question 4 (ALT-4) was added. RESULTS. 51 patients (49%) and 17 controls (79%) completed al questions (Feasibility). Reliability was measured by: a) Crohnbach's alpha (0.68 and 0.70 with ALT-4) b) Kendall's coefficient of concordance (0.097, significance < 0.001) and c) retesting 17 patients within 2 months. The relation of the AUA/IPS scores with quality of life (Construct validity) showed a Spearman's correlation coefficient of 0.57 (confidence = 0.0001), and 0.52/0.0004 with ALT-4. The relation with uroflowmetry (Concurrent empirical validity) was poor as shown in ROC curves. CONCLUSIONS. The Spanish version of the AUA/IPS questionnaire given in an easy format improves feasibility without alteration of reliability or validity. The relation of the AUA/IPS score with uroflowmetry is poor, although the questionnaire can be considered valid and reliable.

Even though prostate carcinomas are the ones which more frequently metastasize the testis, this has only happen in 0.12% of our series, representing 0.9% of testicular tumours in our centre. Revision of such an uncommon pathology shows that in most instances they are asymptomatic, and that the likely route for dissemination is lymphatic, therefore they are not necessarily associated to visceral metastasis, while their repercussion in the prognosis is limited.

Nine patients with complete atrioventricular canal and tetralogy of Fallot underwent intracardiac repair of both anomalies between 1982 and 1989. The ages of the patients ranged from 6 months to 7 years. Six of the 9 had one or more previous systemic-pulmonary artery shunts. Two-dimensional echocardiography showed diagnostic characteristics of both malformations in all patients. The diagnosis was confirmed by cardiac catheterization and cineangiography. The ventricular septal defect was repaired by a combined right atrial and ventricular approach in every patient. Outflow tract reconstruction was performed with the use of a transannular patch (4), infundibular patch (4), and a valved conduit (1). There were no hospital deaths. Meningitis was responsible for the death of a patient 2 years after repair. We recommend early palliation, complete repair in those older than 4 or 5 years, surgical technique depending on the anatomical findings, combined atrial and ventricular approach, 2 separate patches to close the ventricular septal defect in required cases, adjusted correction of the right ventricular outflow tract, and careful postoperative care.