Short- and long-term survival of children treated with ventricular assist devices in Spain, based on 15 years' experience.

Objectives: To describe the use of ventricular assist devices (VAD) in children in Spain and to identify variables related to survival.

Methods: This is an observational cohort study of all children younger than 18 years of age who underwent an initial implantation of a VAD at any of the 6 paediatric heart transplant centres from May 2006 to December 2020. Subjects were identified retrospectively from each hospital's database.

Total anomalous pulmonary venous return with mixed drainage and double connection: a rare case report not previously described.

Background: Total anomalous pulmonary venous return is a rare cyanotic congenital heart disease in which pulmonary veins connect to the systemic veins, right atrium, or coronary sinus. Given its variability, it is essential to define the pathway and drainage site.

Case Summary: We describe a 3-day-old patient with total anomalous pulmonary venous return, in which the four pulmonary veins drained into a common vertical vein that had a double connection at the cardiac (coronary sinus) and infracardiac (portal vein) levels.

Female Genital Mutilation Consequences and Healthcare Received among Migrant Women: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study.

European healthcare systems are increasingly being challenged to respond to female genital mutilation (FGM). This study explores the FGM experiences of migrant women coming from FGM-practicing countries residing in a European host country. A qualitative phenomenological study was carried out and 23 participants were included.

Effects of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation on the Muscle Function of Children with Congenital Heart Disease: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Critical medical and surgical advances have led to a shift in the care and management of children with congenital heart disease (CHD). These patients present with muscle deconditioning, which negatively influences their response to exercise, functional capacities, and quality of life. This study evaluates the influence of a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program (CPRP) on the function of peripheral musculature of children with CHD.

Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Improves Respiratory Muscle Function and Functional Capacity in Children with Congenital Heart Disease. A Prospective Cohort Study.

Critical surgical and medical advances have shifted the focus of congenital heart disease (CHD) patients from survival to achievement of a greater health-related quality of life (HRQoL). HRQoL is influenced, amongst other factors, by aerobic capacity and respiratory muscle strength, both of which are reduced in CHD patients. This study evaluates the influence of a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program (CPRP) on respiratory muscle strength and functional capacity.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of primary healthcare professionals to female genital mutilation in Valencia, Spain: are we ready for this challenge?

Background: The practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a deeply-rooted tradition in 30 Sub-Saharan and Middle-East countries which affects approximately 200 million women and girls worldwide. The practice leads to devastating consequences on the health and quality of life of women and girls in both the short and long term. Globalizing processes and migration flows have recorded cases of this practice worldwide representing for healthcare professionals an emerging challenge on how to approach their healthcare in a transcultural, ethical and respectful way.

[Nomogram to predict a poor outcome in emergency patients with sepsis and at low risk of organ damage according to Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA)].

Objectives: To develop a nomograph to predict a poor outcome (death during hospitalization or a hospital stay longer than 15 days) in emergency patients with sepsis and at low risk of organ damage according to Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA).

Material And Methods: Prospective, observational study carried out in a single universitary hospital. All patients admitted from the emergency department with sepsis and SOFA scores of 6 or lower were enrolled.

Unexpected papilledema in a young male with Type 1 diabetes.

In young patients with T1D, neurological manifestations of cerebral hypertension should suggest the possibility of a cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). In these patients an inherited prothrombotic risk factor, including factor V Leiden G1691A gene mutation, should be considered during an event of thrombosis. Improving the glycemic control is the first factor that should be controlled in a patient who carries a genetic prothrombotic risk factor.

The N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide is the best predictor of mortality during hospitalization in patients with low risk of sepsis-related organ failure.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the value of N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) in predicting mortality in septic patients during hospitalization with mortality risk<10% evaluated by Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA).

Material And Methods: Prospective, observational study performed in sepsis patients with SOFA risk<10%. We obtained levels of biomarkers in the first 72h after admission in hospital.

From vasospasm to early brain injury: new frontiers in subarachnoid haemorrhage research.

Introduction: Delayed vasospasm has traditionally been considered the most important determinant of poor outcome after subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Consequently, most of the research and therapies are directed towards reducing the incidence of vasospasm (VSP). To date, however, clinical trials based on this strategy have not delivered a definitive treatment for preventing or reducing brain injury after SAH.

[Is CT-guided biopsy of aggressive sacral tumors always able to reach a diagnosis?].

Objectives: To present a series of eight cases of rare sacral tumors that represent a wide spectrum of the aggressive disease involving the sacrum and to discuss the efficacy of CT-guided biopsy in these cases.

Material And Methods: We reviewed all cases of sacral tumors biopsied under CT guidance in the last two years. Prior CT and MR images were analyzed before biopsy, and 3 mm CT slices of the lesion were obtained to determine the location of the target area and the path of the needle.

[MR angiography follow-up of embolized cerebral aneurysms: interobserver agreement].

Objective: To determine the interobserver agreement in the interpretation of MR angiography (MRA) studies for surveillance of embolized intracranial aneurysms. To determine whether contrast administration improves interobserver agreement.

Material And Methods: Two experienced neuroradiologists independently reviewed all follow-up MRA studies performed between July 2004 and December 2006 of cerebral aneurysms embolized with coils.

[Follow up and prognostic value using magnetic resonance imaging in patients with spondyloarthritis treated with biologic agents].

Early diagnosis and assessment of the response to treatment in patients suffering from spondyloarthritis have always been challenging due to the lack of imaging techniques able to demonstrate spinal and sacroiliac inflammation. The last 2 years have seen important advances in the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the study of spondyloarthritis. The possibility of quantification of inflammatory lesions using different scoring systems allows not only an early diagnosis, but the assessment of the response to several therapeutic agents, especially those known as «biological therapies».

[Strongyloides stercoralys as an unusual cause of COPD exacerbation].

The nematode of the genus Strongyloides can persist in the body for long periods with asymptomatic eosinophilia as its only manifestation. If patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are also infected by this organism, altered cellular immunity or therapy with corticosteroids, which are commonly used to treat COPD exacerbations, could lead to hyperinfection and dissemination of the larvae from the gastrointestinal tract to the bloodstream. Thus, the unexpected presence of enteric bacteria in the context of a nonsevere COPD exacerbation with unexplained chronic eosinophilia should lead us to search for rhabditiform larvae in stool.

[Primary cardiac tumours in infancy].

Introduction: Primary cardiac tumours are very rare in the paediatric age, their incidence varies from 0.0017 % to 0.28 %.

[Magnetic resonance diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis and evaluation of the response to treatment].

Objective: To show the role of magnetic resonance imaging in the early diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis and discuss its possible usefulness in evaluating the response to treatment.

Material And Methods: We describe the findings on magnetic resonance images using STIR and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted sequences in 13 patients diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis receiving adalimumab treatment. Magnetic resonance images were acquired at baseline and after six months.

[Ibuprofen versus indomethacin in the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm infants].

Introduction: Persistent patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a common entity in preterm infants. The most commonly used pharmacological treatment to close the ductus is indomethacin but it can affect cerebral, renal and mesenteric blood flow. Ibuprofen has recently been shown to be effective in closing PDA with fewer hemodynamic effects.

[Paralysis of cranial nerves as a form of presentation of dissection of the internal carotid artery].

Introduction: Dissection of the internal carotid artery (DIC) is a known cause of cerebral infarct, especially in young patients. The classical clinical syndrome consists of unilateral pain of the head or neck, homolateral oculo-sympathetic paresis and ischaemic symptoms of the cerebral hemisphere involved. Presentation as paralysis of cranial nerves is rare and occurs in less than 12% of cases.

[Pneumonia and acute renal failure as complications of varicella in adults].

Varicella is a disease in childhood. When it affects adults, serious complications can develop, the most frequent and most dangerous being pneumonia. Acute renal failure is an exceptional complication which infrequently is reported in relevant current literature.