Microbiological performance and adherence in blood culture protocols: The role of a second anaerobic bottle.

Background: Bacteremia represents high rates of morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries, highlighting the need for a diagnostic method that allows prompt and appropriate patient treatment. This study compared microbiological performance and adherence of two blood culture protocols for the diagnosis of bacteremia.

Methods: Quasi-experimental study conducted between June 2022 and February 2023.

Device-Associated Infections in COVID-19 Patients: Frequency of Resistant Bacteria, Predictors and Mortality in Medellín, Colombia.

Introduction: Increased antimicrobial use during the COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about the spread of resistant bacteria. This study analyzed the frequency of device-associated infections (DAI) caused by resistant bacteria, the predictors of these infections, and 30-day all-cause mortality in patients with and without COVID-19.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on DAI patients admitted to the ICU (intensive care unit) in 20 hospitals in Medellin, Colombia (2020-2021).

Application of eligibility criteria from DAPA-HF, EMPEROR-Reduced, and PARADIGM-HF trials to a population with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction at a specialized cardiology Clinic in Medellin, Colombia: A retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: The evidence supporting pharmacological heart failure treatment relies on randomized clinical trials with stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Objectives: Assess the eligibility of outpatients with chronic heart failure for the trials DAPA-HF, EMPEROR-reduced, and PARADIGM-HF, while exploring potential differences among study populations.

Methods: By reviewing medical records, we determined the eligibility rate for each study and evaluated the incidence of heart failure hospitalizations and all-cause mortality during this period.

Fontan surgery failure: risk factors and experience in a Colombian reference centre.

Background: The Fontan procedure is considered one of the most remarkable achievements in paediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery. Its final anatomical objective is a venous return through the superior and inferior vena cava. The complications inherent to this procedure and subsequent failure are its limitations.

Addressing Barriers for Women with Advanced Heart Failure.

Purpose Of Review: Describe disparities in diagnosis and management between men and women with advanced heart failure (HF). Our goal is to identify barriers and suggest solutions.

Recent Findings: Women with advanced HF are less likely to undergo diagnostic testing and procedures (i.

Endomyocardiofibrosis in the Americas Collaborative Study: The EMF-SIAC Registry.

Endomyocardiofibrosis (EMF) is a restrictive cardiomyopathy characterized by subendocardial fibrosis due to eosinophilic myocardial infiltration. EMF may commonly present with heart failure (HF) or atrial fibrillation (AF). Immunosuppression can be effective in early stages, but not in the chronic phase.

Anti-GM-CSF Neutralizing Autoantibodies in Colombian Patients with Disseminated Cryptococcosis.

Background: Cryptococcosis is a potentially life-threatening fungal disease caused by encapsulated yeasts of the genus Cryptococcus, mostly C. neoformans or C. gattii.

Getting ahead of the game: in-hospital initiation of HFrEF therapies.

Hospitalizations for heart failure (HF) have become a global problem worldwide. Each episode of HF decompensation may lead to deleterious short- and long- term consequences, but on the other hand is an unique opportunity to adjust the heart failure pharmacotherapy. Thus, in-hospital and an early post-discharge period comprise an optimal timing for initiation and optimization of the comprehensive management of HF.

Red blood cell distribution width to predict mortality in heart transplant recipients: a systematic review.

Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) has been shown to have prognostic value in a number of different clinical settings, such as cardiovascular disease, including heart failure. However, its prognostic value in heart transplant (HT) recipients remains unknown. The aim of this systematic review is to determine the prognostic value of pre-transplant RDW for mortality in HT recipients.

Accuracy of Delta Capnography for the Prediction of Pulmonary Vein Occlusion During Cryoablation for Atrial Fibrillation.

The purpose of this study was to quantify the relationship between a drop in end-tidal carbon dioxide (etCO) and occlusion of pulmonary veins (PVs) to find a delta etCO (ΔetCO) able to predict occlusion during PV isolation (PVI) by cryoballoon. We designed a prospective registry. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation patients who underwent cryoballoon PVI were included.

Case Report: Rhinosporidiosis Literature Review.

Rhinosporidiosis is caused by Rhinosporidium seeberi, a pathogen currently considered a fungus-like parasite of the eukaryotic group Mesomycetozoea. It is usually a benign condition, with slow growth of polypoid lesions, with involvement of the nose, nasopharynx, or eyes. The clinical characteristics of a painless, friable, polypoid mass, usually unilateral, can guide the diagnosis, but the gold standard for diagnosis is histopathological findings.