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Resumen El uso de productos del tabaco novedosos, en especial el cigarrillo electronico y los dispositivos de combustion parcial de tabaco (sistemas Heat not Burn), han aumentado de forma exponencial, sobre todo en jovenes y adolescentes. Las autoridades sanitarias y las sociedades cientificas han mostrado preocupacion ante las dudas que existen sobre su seguridad y eficacia (como metodo de abandono del tabaco). Tras el estudio de la evidencia cientifica disponible no es posible asegurar la inocuidad de los vapores o humos que inhalan los usuarios de estos dispositivos. Respecto a la eficacia no pueden recomendarse tras los resultados contradictorios de diferentes ensayos clinicos y metaanalisis, maxime cuando existen tratamientos seguros y eficaces para ayudar a dejar de fumar (vareniclina, terapia sustitutiva con nicotina y bupropion, unido al asesoramiento psicologico).

Resumen Entre el 15 y el 27% de los pacientes que ingresan en los hospitales espanoles son consumidores de tabaco. La hospitalizacion es un momento idoneo para que el fumador se plantee el abandono del tabaco. Se ha realizado una busqueda bibliografica en MEDLINE entre el 1 de enero de 2002 y el 30 de septiembre de 2015, de estudios, controlados y aleatorizados u observacionales, relacionados con la ayuda para dejar de fumar a pacientes ingresados en el hospital. Basandose en los resultados de dichos estudios se han emitido unas recomendaciones para el tratamiento del tabaquismo en pacientes hospitalizados. Las recomendaciones han sido formuladas de acuerdo con el sistema GRADE. Ofrecer al fumador asesoramiento psicologico mas tratamiento farmacologico mientras esta ingresado en el hospital y prolongar el seguimiento durante al menos 4 semanas despues del alta es la recomendacion mas efectiva para ayudar a dejar de fumar a los pacientes ingresados.

The use of novel tobacco products, particularly the electronic cigarette (EC) and partial tobacco combustion devices (HnB systems: Heat not Burn), has increased exponentially, particularly among adolescents and young people. The health authorities and scientific societies have shown concern about issues surrounding safety and effectiveness (as a method of smoking cessation). A study of the available scientific evidence has concluded that the safety of the vapor or fumes inhaled by the users of these devices cannot be guaranteed. Contradictory results from various clinical trials and meta-analyses also mean that these devices cannot be recommended for their effectiveness in cessation, especially when safe and effective treatments are available to help quit smoking (varenicline, nicotine replacement therapy, and bupropion, combined with psychological counseling).

The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of smoking among SEPAR members, and their approach to smoking cessation in their patients. An online survey was completed by 640 members (496 pulmonologists, 45 nurses, 34 thoracic surgeons, 37 physiotherapists, and 28 other specialists). Of the members interviewed, 5% confessed that they were smokers: 3.5% pulmonologists; 8.9% nurses; 8.8% thoracic surgeons, and 13.5% physiotherapists. A total of 96% of members assign a lot or quite a lot of importance to setting an example; 98% of members always or often ask their patients about their smoking habit. The most effective anti-smoking intervention, according to 77% of members, is a combination of drugs and psychological support. These results are an indicator of the awareness and commitment of SEPAR members to smoking and its cessation.

The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of smoking among SEPAR members, and their approach to smoking cessation in their patients. An online survey was completed by 640 members (496 pulmonologists, 45 nurses, 34 thoracic surgeons, 37 physiotherapists, and 28 other specialists). Of the members interviewed, 5% confessed that they were smokers: 3.5% pulmonologists; 8.9% nurses; 8.8% thoracic surgeons, and 13.5% physiotherapists. A total of 96% of members assign a lot or quite a lot of importance to setting an example; 98% of members always or often ask their patients about their smoking habit. The most effective anti-smoking intervention, according to 77% of members, is a combination of drugs and psychological support. These results are an indicator of the awareness and commitment of SEPAR members to smoking and its cessation.

Resumen La Sociedad Espanola de Neumologia y Cirugia Toracica (SEPAR), a traves de las areas de Cirugia Toracica y de Oncologia Toracica, ha promovido la realizacion de un manual de recomendaciones para el diagnostico y el tratamiento del cancer de pulmon de celulas no pequenas. Las elevadas incidencia y mortalidad de esta patologia hacen necesaria una constante actualizacion de las mejores evidencias cientificas para su consulta por parte de los profesionales de la salud. Para su confeccion se ha contado con un amplio grupo de profesionales de distintas especialidades que han elaborado una revision integral, que se ha concretado en 4 apartados principales. En el primero se ha estudiado la prevencion y el cribado de la enfermedad, incluyendo los factores de riesgo, el papel de la deshabituacion tabaquica y el diagnostico precoz mediante programas de cribado. En un segundo apartado se ha analizado la presentacion clinica, los estudios de imagen y el riesgo quirurgico, incluyendo el cardiologico y la evaluacion funcional respiratoria. Un tercero trata sobre los estudios de confirmacion cito-histologica y de estadificacion, con un analisis de las clasificaciones TNM e histologica, metodos no invasivos y minimamente invasivos, asi como las tecnicas quirurgicas para el diagnostico y estadificacion. En un cuarto y ultimo capitulo se han abordado aspectos del tratamiento, como el papel de las tecnicas quirurgicas, la quimioterapia, la radioterapia, el abordaje multidisciplinar por estadios y otros tratamientos dirigidos frente a dianas especificas, terminando con recomendaciones acerca del seguimiento del cancer de pulmon y los tratamientos paliativos quirurgicos y endoscopicos en estadios avanzados.

Resumen El cigarrillo electronico (CE) es un dispositivo que esta constituido basicamente por tres elementos: la bateria, el atomizador y el cartucho. Estos tres elementos se ensamblan unos con otros y forman un dispositivo que tiene el aspecto de un cigarrillo. El cartucho esta cargado con liquido que puede contener diferentes sustancias: propilenglicol, glicerina y, en ocasiones, nicotina. Cuando el sujeto «vapea» y la bateria entra en funcionamiento, se calienta el atomizador y el liquido se vierte en el interior del mismo y se convierte en vapor. Este vapor es el que es inhalado por el consumidor. Diferentes sustancias se han detectado en el mismo: formaldehido, acetaldehido, acroleina y diversos metales pesados. Estas sustancias aunque se encuentran en cantidades mas bajas de las que se detectan en los cigarrillos habituales, tienen capacidad para producir patologia en humanos. Diversas encuestas muestran que entre un 3 y un 10% de los fumadores de todo el mundo son consumidores habituales de este tipo de productos. Un estudio aleatorizado ha mostrado que la eficacia de los CE para dejar de fumar pudiera ser similar a la de los parches de nicotina. No obstante, tiene importantes deficiencias metodologicas que no permiten obtener conclusiones fiables. En este articulo se muestra la Declaracion Oficial de la Sociedad Espanola de Neumologia y Cirugia Toracica sobre eficacia y seguridad del CE. En ella se recoge la solicitud de expertos de dicha sociedad de que el CE deberia ser regulado como un producto medicinal.

Background We aimed to assess baseline inter-hemispheric perfusion differences, before carotid artery stenting (CAS), of severe internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis, and to evaluate perfusion changes over time after CAS by means of perfusion weighted imaging (PWI). Methods Dynamic susceptibility contrast PWI was performed in 33 patients with severe ICA stenosis 1 day before and 1 day after CAS, and repeated in 23 patients 30 days after CAS. Cerebral blood volume, cerebral blood flow, arrival time (T0), mean transit time, and time to peak (TTP) relative values comparing symptomatic and asymptomatic hemispheres before CAS were obtained. Pre- and post-CAS values were also compared in the treated hemisphere and middle cerebral artery (MCA) territories. The influence of collateral circulation and contralateral ICA stenosis were evaluated. Results Before CAS, TTP was significantly increased in the affected hemisphere and MCA territory in all patients (p=0.007 and p=0.021, respectively). After treatment, normalization was observed for TTP and T0 30 days after CAS in all patients, mainly in patients with any grade of contralateral stenosis and with one or both functioning communicating arteries (42.4% of patients had both, and 42.4% showed only one—anterior communicating artery=11 patients (78.6%) and posterior communicating artery=3 patients (21.4%)). Conclusions Inter-hemispheric perfusion differences in patients with severe ICA stenosis normalize after CAS in the long term, up to 30 days after the procedure.

Between 15 and 27% of patients admitted to Spanish hospitals are smokers. Hospitalization is an ideal time for a smoker to decide to quit. We performed a MEDLINE search of controlled, randomized or observational studies associated with helping hospitalized patients quit smoking, published between January 1, 2002 and September 30, 2015. On the basis of the results of those studies, we have issued some recommendations for the treatment of smoking in hospitalized patients. The recommendations were drawn up according to the GRADE system. Offering the smoker psychological counselling and prolonging follow-up for at least 4 weeks after discharge is the most effective recommendation for helping hospitalized patients to quit.

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of thrombus extraction using a microsnare in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).This was a prospective, observational, cohort study in which consecutive patients with AIS (6 hours of ischemia for anterior circulation and24 hours for posterior circulation) who had been previously excluded from intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) thrombolysis were included and followed-up for 3 months. Mechanical embolectomy with a microsnare of 2-4 mm was undertaken as the first treatment. Low-dose intraarterial thrombolysis or angioplasty was used if needed. TIMI grade and modified Rankin stroke scale (mRSS) score were used to evaluate vessel recanalization and clinical efficacy, respectively.Nine patients (mean age 55 years, range 17-69 years) were included. Their basal mean NIHSS score was 16 (range 12-24). In seven out of the nine patients (77.8%) the clot was removed, giving a TIMI grade of 3 in four patients and TIMI grade 2 in three patients. Occlusion sites were: middle cerebral artery (four), basilar artery (two) and anterior cerebral artery plus middle cerebral artery (one). The mean time for recanalization from the start of the procedure was 50 min (range 50-75 min). At 3 months, the mRSS score was 0 in two patients and 3-4 in three patients (two patients died).According to our results, the microsnare is a safe procedure for mechanical thrombectomy with a good recanalization rate. Further studies are required to determine the role of the microsnare in the treatment of AIS.

Estrogen loss has been related to higher incidence of stroke in postmenopausal women, but randomized trials have demonstrated an increased risk of stroke in women receiving hormone replacement therapy (HRT).To assess the relationship between exposure to endogenous ovarian hormones and the risk of noncardioembolic ischemic stroke.We conducted a multicenter, age-matched, case-control study in postmenopausal women (case: nonembolic ischemic stroke; control: no stroke) comparing duration of ovarian activity or lifetime estrogen exposure, which was defined as age at menarche to age at menopause. Embolic cardiopathy and unreliable gynecologic data were exclusion criteria. Cardiovascular disease risk factors were recorded. The relationships of the principal variables to the risk of stroke were assessed using a conditional logistic regression analysis.There were 430 cases and 905 controls in the study. In the multivariate analysis, hypertension (odds ratio [OR]: 2.73; 95% CI: 2.09 to 3.58; p0.0001), diabetes (OR: 3.38; 95% CI: 2.53 to 4.52; p0.0001), hyperlipidemia (OR: 1.31; 95% CI: 1.01 to 1.7; p = 0.045), lifespan of ovarian activity34 years (OR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.13 to 2.03; p = 0.005), and menarche at13 years of age (OR 1.49; 95% CI: 1.15 to 1.92; p = 0.002) were independently related to an increased risk of stroke. Obesity (OR: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.56 to 0.95; p = 0.021) was related to a lower risk of stroke.Longer lifetime exposure to ovarian estrogens may protect against noncardioembolic ischemic stroke. However, a very early age of exposure onset could be disadvantageous.

The Thoracic Surgery and Thoracic Oncology groups of the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) have backed the publication of a handbook on recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. Due to the high incidence and mortality of this disease, the best scientific evidence must be constantly updated and made available for consultation by healthcare professionals.To draw up these recommendations, we called on a wide-ranging group of experts from the different specialties, who have prepared a comprehensive review, divided into 4 main sections. The first addresses disease prevention and screening, including risk factors, the role of smoking cessation, and screening programs for early diagnosis. The second section analyzes clinical presentation, imaging studies, and surgical risk, including cardiological risk and the evaluation of respiratory function. The third section addresses cytohistological confirmation and staging studies, and scrutinizes the TNM and histological classifications, non-invasive and minimally invasive sampling methods, and surgical techniques for diagnosis and staging. The fourth and final section looks at different therapeutic aspects, such as the role of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, a multidisciplinary approach according to disease stage, and other specifically targeted treatments, concluding with recommendations on the follow-up of lung cancer patients and surgical and endoscopic palliative interventions in advanced stages. (C) 2016 SEPAR. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of smoking among SEPAR members, and their approach to smoking cessation in their patients. An online survey was completed by 640 members (496 pulmonologists, 45 nurses, 34 thoracic surgeons, 37 physiotherapists, and 28 other specialists). Of the members interviewed, 5% confessed that they were smokers: 3.5% pulmonologists; 8.9% nurses; 8.8% thoracic surgeons, and 13.5% physiotherapists. A total of 96% of members assign a lot or quite a lot of importance to setting an example; 98% of members always or often ask their patients about their smoking habit. The most effective anti-smoking intervention, according to 77% of members, is a combination of drugs and psychological support. These results are an indicator of the awareness and commitment of SEPAR members to smoking and its cessation.

Background: The MPOWER strategy encourages suitable monitoring of the tobacco epidemic among health professionals in all countries. Objective: To analyse the prevalence of and attitudes towards tobacco use among Spanish health professionals. Methods: A study was conducted based on an online survey. The study population consisted of health professionals (primary care physicians, specialist physicians and nurses). The questionnaire used included questions about tobacco consumption, knowledge of and attitudes towards smoking. The sample size was calculated according to a database with 9,500 e-mail addresses and listings of health centres and hospitals all over Spain. Statistical analysis was done using the SPSS software programme. Results: The study group comprised a total of 612 health professionals: 322 were women (52.6%), 196 were nurses and 416 were physicians. 11.7% of health professionals were smokers (9.6% regular smokers and 2.1% occasional smokers) and 41.3% were ex-smokers. Within the group of daily smokers, differences were observed between the nurses and the physicians: 11.2 versus 8.9% (p = 0.009). Smoking was recognized as a chronic disorder by 58.2% of health professionals, and 54.6% knew that the most effective intervention to help quit is a combination of psychological and pharmacological treatment. 56% of health professionals always asked their patients about their tobacco consumption. Conclusions: 11.7% of Spanish health professionals are smokers. We found that they have low knowledge about strategies to quit smoking and that there is a low level of therapeutic intervention on smokers.

Carlos A Jiménez-Ruiz,1 Segismundo Solano-Reina,2 Jaime Signes-Costa,3 Eva de Higes-Martinez,4 José I Granda-Orive,5 José J Lorza-Blasco,6 Juan A Riesco-Miranda,7 Neus Altet-Gomez,8 Miguel Barrueco,9 Itziar Oyagüez,10 Javier Rejas11 On behalf of the SEPAR’s Integrated Tobacco Research Program 1Specialised Tobacco Unit, Community of Madrid, 2Tobacco Unit, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, 3Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Hospital Universitario San Juan, Alicante, 4Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcón, 5Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, 6Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Complejo Hospitalario de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarre, 7Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Hospital de San Pedro Alcántara, Cáceres, 8Drassanes Tobacco Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall-d’Hebron-Drassanes, The Jordi Gol University Institute for Research Primary Healthcare, Barcelona, 9Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Biomedical Research Institute, Salamanca, 10Pharmacoeconomics & Outcomes Research Iberia, 11Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Health Outcomes Research, Pfizer, Sociedad Limitada Unificada, Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain Abstract: The aim of the study was to assess the budgetary impact of funding smoking-cessation drugs in COPD patients in Spain. A hybrid model (cohort and Markov) was developed for a 5-year time horizon. Only approved cessation drugs (varenicline, bupropion, and nicotine replacement therapy) were considered. Irrespective of the drug, the model allowed for an initial cessation attempt, and up to three additional attempts in case of failure or smoking relapse during a 5-year period. Drug effectiveness was based on controlled clinical trials. National Health System perspective was applied; therefore, only medical resources were included. The pharmaceutical costs for smoking-cessation drugs, extra medical follow-up as a consequence of public reimbursement, and annual savings for health costs avoided due to stopping smoking were considered. The model estimated that 17,756 COPD patients would stop smoking if public funding was available, compared with 1,303 without reimbursement. In the reimbursement scenario, the savings accounted for a total of €48.0 million, compensating for expenditures on drugs and medical visits (€40.4 million). Accumulated total additional savings in 5years (€4.3 million) compared with the scenario without reimbursement was shown. Sensitivity analyses supported the results robustness. Funding smoking-cessation drugs in COPD patients seems to be an efficient option and a National Health System drug reimbursement scheme would represent a cost-saving policy in Spain. Keywords: pharmacotherapy, COPD, smoking cessation, budgetary impact, health service

To evaluate by MR diffusion weighted image (DWI-MR) the presence of new ischemic cerebral lesions after carotid artery stenting (CAS) and distal cerebral protection, in patients with internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis70.Sixty-seven CAS were performed under cerebral protection with a distal filter. Mean age of the patients was 68.3 years (range 37-86) and 42 patients (62.7%) were symptomatic. An EZ filter device was used in all cases. The mean length of the procedure was 22.2 minutes (range 8-110). All patients had a cerebral MRI done in the 3 days before CAS and a DW-MR (eco planar single shot, b=1000 mm2/seconds) was done the day after.As a consequence of the CAS, three transient ischemic attacks were observed. There was one minor stroke (1.5%) on day 21, but no major stroke, death or myocardial infarction in a 30-day period. DW-MRI after CAS showed 26 new silent ischemic lesions in 11 asymptomatic patients (16.4%). In six, they were multiple (range 2-5). Lesions were mainly seen in the ipsilateral medial cerebral artery (21); four in the posterior fossa, and one in the contralateral medial cerebral artery.Although the use of distal cerebral protection was safe, new cerebral ischemic lesions, supposedly embolic, were observed in 16.4% of the patients. Although without clinical consequences in our series, their moderate high incidence should promote the investigation of safer techniques and devices.

The electronic cigarette (EC) is a device formed by three basic elements: battery, atomizer and cartridge. When assembled, it looks like a cigarette. The cartridge contains different substances: propylene glycol, glycerine and, sometimes, nicotine. When the user "vapes", the battery is activated, the atomizer is heated and the liquid is drawn in and vaporized. The smoker inhales the mist produced. Various substances have been detected in this mist: formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acrolein and some heavy metals. Although these are found in lower concentrations than in cigarettes, they may still be harmful for the human body. Several surveys show that 3-10% of smokers regularly use e-cigarettes. A randomized study has shown that the efficacy of e-cigarettes for helping smokers to quit is similar to nicotine patches. Nevertheless, the study has relevant methodological limitations and reliable conclusions cannot be deduced. This report sets down the Position Statement of the Spanish Society of Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery (SEPAR) on the efficacy and safety of e-cigarettes. This statement declares that e-cigarettes should be regulated as medicinal products. © 2013 SEPAR.

Background: Despite advances in the surgical treatment of patients with severe internal carotid stenosis (ICA), there are selective groups of patients who, due to several reasons, are not good candidates for surgery. Patients with contralateral occlusion are one of these subgroups. Thereby, other therapeutic alternatives, such as angioplasty may be of value. So far, there has been little published data about carotid angioplasty (CA) or stenting (CAS) in those patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of angioplasty and stenting in patients with severe internal carotid stenosis and contralateral occlusion. Methods: Between 1991 and June 2004, 519 consecutive patients who underwent CA or CAS for severe stenosis of the ICA were registered in our prospective CA Data Bank. Of them, we identified 96 with contralateral occlusion (18.5%), who formed the basis of the present analysis. Results: Mean age was 64 ± 9 (range 40–80), 85 (88.5%) were men, and 61 (63.5%) were symptomatic. Thirty-two patients (33.3%) did not meet the criteria to be included in the NASCET. CA was done in 25 patients (26%) and CAS in 71 (74%). Distal protection was used in 38 patients (39.6%). Asymptomatic stenosis was treated in cases of progression (>85%), exhausted vasoreactivity, positive microemboli detection in transcranial Doppler, and/or asymptomatic lesions in CT/MRI. Transient hemodynamic effects were frequent: hypotension (54.5%), bradycardia (61.5%), asystole (33.3%), and syncope (33.3%). TIA occurred in 1 patient (1%), minor stroke in 1 (1%), and disabling stroke in 2 patients (2.1%). Mortality was 0%. Morbidity was 0% in cases done with distal protection. Conclusion: In our experience, CA/CAS performed in patients with severe carotid stenosis and contralateral occlusion compared favorably with the results obtained with carotid endarterectomy (CEA), to the extent that if randomized series comparing CEA and CA/CAS are done, CA/CAS might be considered as the treatment of choice in this subgroup of patients.