Publications by authors named "Rafael Benavente"
Background: BK hemorrhagic cystitis (BK-HC) is a common complication following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), particularly when posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) is used as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. However, comparative studies of BK-HC incidence in matched sibling donors (MSD) and unrelated donors (MUD) often include small haploidentical (HAPLO) donor cohorts and usually lack detailed information on disease evolution, coinfections, management and impact on outcomes.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes in patients with hematologic malignancies undergoing HSCT from MSD, MUD, HAPLO donors using PTCy as GVHD prophylaxis.
Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is a serious complication following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), with limited data on its incidence and characteristics, particularly for upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) of gastric origin. We aimed to evaluate the incidence, clinical, endoscopic, and histopathologic features, and outcomes of UGIB, with a focus on gastric vascular ectasias (GVEs) in patients undergoing HSCT with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis using post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCY), sirolimus or calcineurin inhibitors, and mycophenolate mofetil. This retrospective, single-center study included all adult patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT at a single institution between January 2017 and December 2023.
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- Many COVID-19 patients experience a hyperinflammatory syndrome similar to Secondary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (sHLH), which can lead to serious health issues.
- A study involving 143 hospitalized COVID-19 patients aimed to assess the occurrence of sHLH and evaluate the HScore as a way to predict negative outcomes.
- Results showed that sHLH was rare (0.7% incidence), but a HScore of 130 or above was linked to higher risks of requiring mechanical ventilation or increased mortality, indicating its potential as a prognostic tool.
Article Synopsis
- Sulfhemoglobin (SulfHb) is a compound formed when hemoglobin is oxidized by sulfur compounds, often linked to drug use or bacterial overgrowth in the intestines, and presents as cyanosis with normal oxygen levels in the blood.
- A case study reported two women with cyanosis after high doses of zopiclone, where typical diagnoses like methemoglobinemia were ruled out, complicating the confirmation of sulfhemoglobinemia due to interference with co-oximetry tests.
- Although sulfhemoglobinemia is usually self-limiting and confirmatory tests are scarce in Chile, it is crucial to distinguish it from methemoglobinemia to prevent unnecessary treatments.
Background: Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (Ph-MPN) are chronic hematological disorders characterized by the overproduction of one or more mature myeloid blood cell lineages. Classical Ph-MPN are polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocytopenia (ET) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF).
Aim: To assess the epidemiological, clinical and diagnostic characteristics of Ph-MPN in Chile.
Article Synopsis
- Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (Ph-MPN) are chronic blood disorders marked by excessive production of myeloid blood cells, with major types being polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocytopenia (ET), and primary myelofibrosis (PMF).
- A study in Chile reviewed the medical records of 462 patients referred for MPN from 2012 to 2017, finding that ET was the most common type, with a reported incidence of 1.5 cases per 100,000 people.
- Despite extensive testing for the JAK2 V617F mutation, only 30% of patients underwent a bone marrow biopsy, and overall survival was 87
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- Before tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) were introduced, patients with Philadelphia-positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (Ph+ALL) had poor outcomes; the combination of TKIs with intense chemotherapy has significantly improved these results.
- A study conducted on 35 patients at a public hospital in Santiago, Chile, between 2010 and 2019 showed a 97% complete response rate, and 61% had no measurable residual disease (MRD) during follow-up.
- While the overall survival and event-free survival rates at three years were 52% and 34% respectively, achieving MRD negativity before three months did not significantly improve these outcomes, suggesting the combined treatment is an effective option for Ph+
Article Synopsis
- People living with HIV (PLWH) continue to experience high rates of lymphoma-related morbidity and mortality, prompting this study in a Chilean public hospital.
- The study analyzed data from 84 PLWH diagnosed with different types of lymphoma between 2010 and 2017 and compared their survival rates to a previous cohort from 1992 to 2008.
- Overall survival improved in this more recent cohort, particularly for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), largely attributed to better access to antiretroviral therapy, despite no significant changes in chemotherapy treatments.
Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is a highly selective α2-adrenergic agonist with sedative and analgesic properties, with minimal respiratory effects. It is used as a sedative in the intensive care unit and the operating room. The opioid-sparing effect and the absence of respiratory effects make dexmedetomidine an attractive adjuvant drug for anesthesia in obese patients who are at an increased risk for postoperative respiratory complications.
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