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Austrian syndrome is a triad characterized by pneumonia, meningitis and endocarditis, as a result of a Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia. We report a previously healthy 49 year-old male, who consulted at the emergency care unit with a history of one week of pleuritic pain, fever leading to an altered level of consciousness and seizures. A diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia and meningitis was reached, isolating Streptococcus pneumoniae in the cerebrospinal fluid and blood cultures. Antibiotic treatment was started but the patient had an unsatisfactory response. During hospitalization a new heart murmur was found in the physical examination. An echocardiography was performed and a massive aortic valve insufficiency was found along with vegetations and a perforation of the same valve. The valve was replaced by a prosthetic one and the patient responded satisfactorily to the surgical and antibiotic treatment, without complications.

Marantic or nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis is characterized for the presence of vegetations formed by a meshwork of fibrin and other cellular material similar a blood clot, without the presence of microorganisms. It is often related with tumors and chronic inflammatory states. We report a 49 years old female with a history of weight loss and asthenia, presenting with multiple cerebrovascular attacks and fever. Blood cultures were negative and the fever did not subside with antibiotic treatment. Trans esophageal echocardiogram showed a mitral valve vegetation and thickening of the free edge of both leaflets. In search of the etiology of such a case, a primary pancreatic cancer with distant metastases was found. We cannot rule out the differential diagnosis with bacterial endocarditis with negative blood cultures, although the clinical context supports a non-infectious etiology.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) produce almost a million deaths a year in Latin America (LA), becoming the main cause of death in the last years, and it is estimated that the number of deaths in the region attributable to CVD will increase in the near future. This new epidemic is a consequence of the demographic, economic and social changes observed in LA in recent years. Coronary heart disease and stroke causes 42.5 % and 28.8%, respectively of the CVD mortality in the region. Chagas heart involvement and rheumatic heart disease, once a major health problem, are responsible of only 1% of the mortality each. Improving in socioeconomic status, increased life expectancy and high prevalence of risk factors for atherosclerosis have been the major determinants of this marked epidemiologic change.

ResumenEn Chile, la prevalencia de tabaquismo en mayores de 15 años es 40,6%. El tabaquismo activo y pasivo provoca enfermedad cardiovascular como consecuencia del efecto del monóxido de carbono y nicotina a través de inducción de un estado de hipercoagulación, aumento del trabajo cardíaco, vasoconstricción coronaria, liberación de catecolaminas, alteración del metabolismo de los lípidos y alteración de la función endotelial.Se estima que en el mundo mueren 5.4millones de personas prematuramente al año debido al uso de tabaco y subirá a 10millones para el 2025. En Chile más de 41 personas mueren cada día por enfermedades asociadas al tabaco y el gasto anual en estas enfermedades es US$1.100millones. Al analizar los datos chilenos del estudio INTERHEART el tabaco fue el factor de riesgo más importante, con un 42% (95%IC 33.2-51.4%) de los infartos atribuibles al hábito de fumar, lo que se explica por las altas tasas de consumo. Hay una importante reducción de riesgo al dejar de fumar.SummaryIn Chile, the prevalence of smoking in older than 15 years old is 40.6%. Active and passive smoking produces cardiovascular disease due to effect of carbon monoxide and nicotine, though the induction of an increased coagulation and cardiac work, coronary artery constriction, catecholamine releases, abnormal lipid metabolism and endothelial dysfunction.It is estimated that 5.4million people died each year prematurely worldwide due to tobacco use and this will rise to 10million in year 2025. In Chile more than 41 persons died each day for diseases associated with tobacco, and the smoking associated diseases expenses are US 1.100million a year. When Chilean data of the INTERHEART study is analyzed, smoking was the most important risk factor for myocardial infarction, with 42% (95%IC 33.2-51.4%) of the infarctions attributable to smoking, and this can be explained by the high tobacco consumption rate in the Chilean population. An important risk reduction is observed when smoking stops.

Background: Implementation of health programs to reduce cardiovascular risk, are needed for secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Aim: To evalúate achievements of secondary prevention goals, pharmacologic prescription and major cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease. Material and Methods: Patients who had a first event of acute coronary syndrome, angioplasty or revascularization surgery, between January 2008 and June 2010, were contacted for a clinical and laboratory evaluation between June and October 2011. Results: Seven hundred and two medical records were reviewed and 245 eligible patients were identified. Ofthese, we assessed 202 patients aged 64 ± 10 years (70% males). Sixty seven percent had two ormore cardiovascular riskfactors. A goal ofHDL cholesterol level over 40 mg/dL was achieved in 91 % of patients, smoking cessation in 84% and a total cholesterol < 200 mg/dL in 66%. A blood pressure below 130/85 mm Hgwas achieved in 30% of patients, a normal BMI in 19% and LDL cholesterol levels below 70 mg/dL in 18%. At the moment of assessment, 87%> were using aspirin, 78%> statins, 74% angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor antagonists and 66%o were using β - blockers. Twenty two percent of patients had a major cardiovascular event during the follow up, which lasted 28 ± 8 months. Conclusions: A low percentage of cardiovascular goals achievement was observed in this sample of patients, with a high prevalence of overweight and obesity. A high percentage quit smoking after their first cardiovascular event. Despite the high percentage of drug prescription, hypertension and dyslipidemia were not fully controlled.

Background: Metabolic syndrome is becoming an important public health problem in affluent societies. Aim: To identify factors associated to metabolic syndrome in a Southern Chilean city. Material and methods: Using a case control design, 200 participants, aged 35 to 70 years with at least three criteria for metabolic syndrome according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP_ATPIII) and 200 subjects with less than three criteria, were studied. Both groups were compared in terms of ethnic background, educational level, family history of diabetes and coronary artery disease, menopausal status, smoking, stress and depression, physical activity, changes in body mass index in the last five years and diet. Results: Among subjects aged more than 54 years, among males and among overweight individuals, having a Mapuche origin was a risk factor with odds ratios (OR) of 7.2; 88 and 3.9 respectively. Among subjects aged more than 54 years, among women and among overweight individuals, a family history of diabetes was a risk factor with OR of 17.7; 3.2 and 3.9 respectively. Among subjects aged more than 54 years and among women a change in body mass index of more than three points was a risk factor with OR of 12.5 and 7.4, respectively. Depression also was a risk factor among subjects aged more than 54 years (OR 3.3). Regular consumption of wine was a protective factor among participants of more than 54 years, with an OR of 0.17. Conclusions: The risk factors for metabolic syndrome detected in this group of participants, were having a Mapuche origin, a family history of diabetes mellitus and depression. Wine consumption was associated with a lower risk.

Background: Metabolic syndrome is becoming an important public health problem in affluent societies. Aim: To identify factors associated to metabolic syndrome in a Southern Chilean city. Material and methods: Using a case control design, 200 participants, aged 35 to 70 years with at least three criteria for metabolic syndrome according to the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP_ATPIII) and 200 subjects with less than three criteria, were studied. Both groups were compared in terms of ethnic background, educational level, family history of diabetes and coronary artery disease, menopausal status, smoking, stress and depression, physical activity, changes in body mass index in the last five years and diet. Results: Among subjects aged more than 54 years, among males and among overweight individuals, having a Mapuche origin was a risk factor with odds ratios (OR) of 7.2; 88 and 3.9 respectively. Among subjects aged more than 54 years, among women and among overweight individuals, a family history of diabetes was a risk factor with OR of 17.7; 3.2 and 3.9 respectively. Among subjects aged more than 54 years and among women a change in body mass index of more than three points was a risk factor with OR of 12.5 and 7.4, respectively. Depression also was a risk factor among subjects aged more than 54 years (OR 3.3). Regular consumption of wine was a protective factor among participants of more than 54 years, with an OR of 0.17. Conclusions: The risk factors for metabolic syndrome detected in this group of participants, were having a Mapuche origin, a family history of diabetes mellitus and depression. Wine consumption was associated with a lower risk.

Background: In 2005 the Chilean government started a health care reform (AUGE) that guarantees medical treatment for acute myocardial infarction. Aim: To quantify the impact ofAUGE on the management and inhospital mortality of STEMI in a group of Chilean hospitals. Material and methods: Three thousand five hundred and forty six patients with STEMI from 10 hospitals that perform thrombolysis as the main reperfusion therapy were analyzed. We compared demographic and clinical characteristics, hospital treatments and revascularization proceduresin two periods: before (2,623 patients) and after AUGE implementation (906 patients). Logistic regression was used to assess inhospital mortality according to AUGE in the entire sample and stratified by risk groups. Results: We found no differences in demographic and clinical characteristics between the two groups. During AUGE threre was a significant increase in the use of thrombolysis (50% to 60.5%), which was associated to an increase of hypotension from 29% to 35% (p

Background: The optimal dose of Streptokinase in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction is not well established. Apparently, the thrombolytic efficacy would not increase with doses over 750.000 units. Aim: To compare the effectiveness and safety of treatment with low doses of Streptokinase, ranging from 500.000 to 750.000 units, in patients with ST elevation acute myocardial infarction. Patients and methods: From September 1993 to September 1998, the GEMI register of patients with acute myocardial infarction, was carried out in 37 hospitals, incorporating 4,938 patients. Of these, 1,631 patients received streptokinase. According to the administered dose of Streptokinase, patients were divided in two groups: 1,465 patients who received 1.5 millions U in 60 minutes (classical therapy group), and 166 patients with ischemic chest discomfort and either ST-segment elevation or left bundle-branch block on the electrocardiogram, who received 500.000 to 750.000 U streptokinase administered in no more than 30 minutes, with heparin, within 0 to 6 hours of symptom onset. Successful reperfusion, mortality, complications, and hospital outcome was evaluated in both groups. Results: The low dose group of patients had a better reperfusion criteria profile. No differences between groups were observed in patient evolution, mortality, maximum Killip classification, post myocardial infarction heart failure, ischemic complications, arrhythmias or mechanical complications. Conclusions: These results suggest that streptokinase in low doses is at least as effective as classical therapy, in the treatment of ST elevation acute myocardial infarction

Background: The characteristics of patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) admitted to 37 Chilean hospitals (GEMI Registry Group), have been analyzed in the periods 1993-1995 and 1997-1998. Aim: To report the changes in hospital mortality between these 2 periods, with a particular emphasis on the impact of treatment. Patients and methods: Between 1993-1995 we collected information from 2,957 patients and between 1997-1998 we registered 1,981 patients with MI. Analysis of the changes in mortality between periods was adjusted by demographic variables, coronary risk factors, MI location, Killip class on admission and the different therapeutic strategies utilized. The effects of different treatments on hospital mortality were adjusted by the previously determined mortality risk variables. Results: Hospital mortality decreased from 13.3% to 10.8% between both periods (Odds Ratio (OR) 0.78, confidence intervals (95%) (CI) 0.65-0.93). A significant reduction in mortality was observed among patients below 60 years of age, in men, in diabetics and in subjects with an infarction classified as Killip class over II. The use of beta blockers (OR 0.65, CI 0.42-0.99) and intravenous nitrates (OR 0.78, CI 0.61-0.99) and the lower use of calcium channel blockers (OR 0.72, CI 0.60-0.87) were significantly associated with a lower mortality. The administration of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors was associated with a 29.3% mortality reduction (OR 0.69, CI 0.47-1.02). Conclusions: There has been a significant reduction in the mortality rate for MI in Chilean hospitals during the 2 registry periods analyzed, which was significant among some high risk patients and was related to treatment changes, according to evidence based guidelines (Rev Méd Chile 2002; 130: 368-378)