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BACKGROUND: Sex-Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) may be associated to Pre-eclampsia (PE) and Fetal Growth Restriction (RCIU). AIM: To determine if maternal serum SHBG concentrations during the first and second trimesters are predictive biomarkers of Pre-eclampsia and RCIU. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective cohort study carried out in the Fetal Medicine Unit, Universidad de Chile Clinical Hospital between January, 2005 and December, 2006. Blood samples were obtained from unselected pregnant women during routine 11-14 week and 22-25 week ultrasound examinations, conforming two different study groups. Posteriorly, serum SHBG concentrations were determined in women who developed Pre-eclampsia, RCIU and their respective controls. RESULTS: Fifty five patients were included in the 11-14 weeks group. Nine women that developed PE, 10 that developed RCIU and 36 controls were selected from this group. There were no significant differences in SHBG levels between patients with PE, RCIU or controls (324.7 (26.6), 336.8 (33.9) and 377.5 (24.3) nmol/L, respectively). Fifty four women were included in the 22-25 weeks group. Eight women who developed Pre-eclampsia, 15 who developed RCIU and 31 controls were selected. Again, there were no significant differences in SHBG levels between patients with PE, RCIU or controls (345.5 (151.1), 383.8 (143.4) and 345.5 nmol/l (151.1), respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal SHBG serum levels did not predict subsequent development of Pre-eclampsia and RCIU.

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Background: Sex-Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) may be associated to Pre-eclampsia (PE) and Fetal Growth Restriction (RCIU). Aim: To determine if maternal serum SHBG concentrations during the first and second trimesters are predictive biomarkers of Pre-eclampsia and RCIU. Patients and Methods: Prospective cohort study carried out in the Fetal Medicine Unit, Universidad de Chile Clinical Hospital between January, 2005 and December, 2006. Blood samples were obtained from unselectedpregnant women during routine 11-14 week and 22-25 week ultrasound examinations, conforming two different study groups. Posteriorly, serum SHBG concentrations were determined in women who developed Pre-eclampsia, RCIU and their respective controls. Results: Fifty five patients were included in the 11-14 weeks group. Nine women that developed PE, 10 that developed RCIU and 36 controls were selected from this group. There were no significant differences in SHBG levels between patients with PE, RCIU or controls (324.7 (26.6), 336.8 (33.9) and 377.5 (24.3) nmol/L, respectively). Fifty four women were included in the 22-25 weeks group. Eight women who developed Pre-eclampsia, 15 who developed RCIU and 31 controls were selected. Again, there were no significant differences in SHBG levels between patients with PE, RCIU or controls (345.5 (151.1), 383.8 (143.4) and 345.5 nmol/l (151.1), respectively). Conclusions: Maternal SHBG serum levels did not predict subsequent development of Pre-eclampsia and RCIU.

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The effects of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and its tetraacetylated derivative (NDGATA) on the growth, oxygen consumption, adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) level and viability of mouse mammary adenocarcinoma TA3 and its multiresistant variant TA3-MTX-R cell lines were determined. NDGA inhibited mitochondrial carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP)-stimulated oxygen consumption in mouse liver and tumor cells when glutamate plus malate or succinate was added as substrate. The effects were considerably weaker when respiration was supported by duroquinol, indicating that NDGA inhibited primarily mitochondrial electron flow located at some point before ubiquinone. Although NDGATA only inhibited the electron flow through complex I, it was more efficient and selective than NDGA because mouse liver mitochondria were significantly less sensitive to it than both tumor cell lines tested. NDGA and NDGATA inhibited mitochondrial ATP synthesis and, consequently, cell viability and growth rate were also decreased. NDGA and NDGATA inhibited the growth of intramuscularly implanted tumor cells, indicating that NDGATA was also antineoplastic in vivo. In conclusion, NDGATA is cytotoxic to tumor cells, provoking selective induction of mitochondrial dysfunctions, which could be interesting as potential antitumoral agent.

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BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Few studies have addressed the predictive value of white blood cells (WBCs) and C-reactive protein (CRP) at different cutoff values in appendicitis. Our purpose was to determine the cutoff values for WBC and CRP at different periods during clinical evolution of appendicitis and to establish their use for the diagnosis of appendicitis and differentiation of simple from perforated appendicitis. METHODS: We studied 198 patients operated on for appendicitis, which were further divided into 4 subgroups according to the time from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed for CRP and WBC; the best cutoff points were used to calculate the sensitivity and specificity to discriminate patients with and without appendicitis and patients with simple and perforated appendicitis. RESULTS: White blood cell and CRP individually and together had a high sensitivity to differentiate patients with and without appendicitis. The specificity of WBC and CRP taken individually and together to differentiate patients with simple and perforated appendicitis was high, but the sensitivity was low. CONCLUSIONS: White blood cell and CRP could be used to support the clinical diagnosis of appendicitis, and, depending on the time from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis, to differentiate patients with and without appendicitis and discriminate simple from perforated appendicitis.

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BACKGROUND: Since the introduction of stents in 1994, improved clinical results have boosted the development of coronary angioplasty in Chile. Drug eluting stents, that have a reduced rate of restenosis, are being increasingly used. AIM: To assess the acute and long-term results of bare metal stent implantation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Acute and long-term clinical, procedural and angiographic results were assessed in non acute myocardial infarction patients undergoing coronary stent implantation between August 1996 and December 2003. RESULTS: During the study period, 932 patients aged 30 to 87 years (194 women) had at least one stent implanted. Twenty two percent were diabetic, 33% had recent myocardial infarction, 53% unstable angina and 22% stable angina. Angiographic and clinical success were 99.6% and 98.2%, respectively. In hospital death was 0.5%. During a mean follow-up of 19.1 months, all cause mortality was 3.9%, cardiac death 1.9% and survival free of major cardiac ischemic events was 85.3%. Only 6.4% of lesions underwent target vessel revascularization (TVR). Independent predictors of TVR were previous surgery, left anterior descending artery, small post stent minimum luminal diameter. Ostial location, in-stent restenosis, and younger age were non significant predictors. CONCLUSIONS: Acute and long-term results of bare metal stents in this population were excellent. An intriguingly low rate of TVR was seen. Selective bare metal stenting should continue in lesions and patients with a low risk of clinical restenosis.

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BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It was proposed that occult pancreaticobiliary reflux (OPBR) was associated with precancerous mucosal changes in the gallbladder, hence the importance of this disorder. There are no published reports investigating the incidence of OPBR in patients operated on for the entire spectrum of benign gallbladder diseases and gallbladder cancer. Our aim was to determine the incidence of OPBR and measure the levels of active pancreatic enzymes (amylase and lipase) in gallbladder bile of patients undergoing cholecystectomy for benign and malignant gallbladder diseases. METHODS: One hundred eight patients with normal pancreaticobiliary junction evidenced by operative cholangiography were included in the study. RESULTS: According to gallbladder bile amylase and lipase levels, 84.2% and 89% patients respectively had OPBR. OPBR was present in all gallbladder cancer patients; in these patients the biliary levels of amylase and lipase were significantly higher than the levels found in patients with benign gallbladder pathology (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: OPBR could lead to inflammatory changes of the biliary epithelium and progress towards the development of precancerous mucosal changes and gallbladder cancer. The reason why such high levels of pancreatic enzymes are regurgitated into the biliary tree of patients with gallbladder cancer should be clarified.

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BACKGROUND: Methylation is an inactivation mechanism for tumor suppressor genes, that can have important clinical implications. AIM: To analyze the methylation status of 11 tumor suppressor genes in pathological samples of diffuse gastric cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty three patients with diffuse gastric cancer with information about survival and infection with Epstein Barr virus, were studied. DNA was extracted from pathological slides and the methylation status of genes p14, p15, p16, APC, p73, FHIT, E-cadherin, SEMA3B, BRCA-1, MINT-2 y MGMT, was studied using sodium bisulphite modification and polymerase chain reaction. Results were grouped according to the methylation index or Hierarchical clustering (TIGR MultiExperiment Viewer). RESULTS: Three genes had a high frequency of methylation (FHIT, BRCA1, APC), four had an intermediate frequency (p15, MGMT, p14, MINT2) and four had a low frequency (p16, p73, E-cadherin, SEMA3B). The methylation index had no association with clinical or pathological features of tumors or patients survival. Hierarchical clustering generated two clusters. One grouped clinical and pathological features with FHIT, BRCA1, and APC and the other grouped the other eight genes and Epstein Barr virus infection. Two significant associations were found, between APC and survival and p16/p14 and Epstein Barr virus infection. CONCLUSIONS: Hierarchical clustering is a tool that identifies associations between clinical and pathological features of tumors and methylation of tumor suppressor genes.

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Background:Methylation is an inactivation mechanism for tumor suppressor genes, that can have important clinical implications. Aim: To analyze the methylation status of 11 tumor suppressor genes in pathological samples of diffuse gastric cancer. Material and methods: Eighty three patients with diffuse gastric cancer with information about survival and infection with Epstein Barr virus, were studied. DNA was extracted from pathological slides and the methylation status of genes p14, p15, p16, APC, p73, FHIT, E-caderin, SEMA3B, BRCA-1, MINT-2 y MGMT, was studied using sodium bisulphite modification and polymerase chain reaction. Results were grouped according to the methylation index or Hierarchical clustering (TIGR MultiExperiment Viewer). Results: Three genes had a high frequency of methylation (FHIT, BRCA1, APC), four had an intermediate frequency (p15, MGMT, p14, MINT2) and four had a low frequency (p16, p73, E-cadherin, SEMA3B). The methylation index had no association with clinical or pathological features of tumors or patients survival. Hierarchical clustering generated two clusters. One grouped clinical and pathological features with FHIT, BRCA1, and APC and the other grouped the other eight genes and Epstein Barr virus infection. Two significant associations were found, between APC and survival and p16/p14 and Epstein Barr virus infection. Conclusions: Hierarchical clustering is a tool that identifies associations between clinical and pathological features of tumors and methylation of tumor suppressor genes.

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Introducción: En el año 2004 publicamos los resultados intrahospitalarios del primer registro chileno de angioplastía coronaria (AC), RENAC. Sin embargo, la información nacional sobre los resultados alejados de la AC en Chile hasta la fecha ha sido escasa y parcelar. Objetivo: Evaluar los resultados alejados de la angioplastía coronaria en pacientes sin infarto agudo de miocardio (IAM) en el país. Pacientes y métodos: Seis de los 10 centros participantes en el RENAC entre junio de 2001 y octubre de 2002 efectúan seguimiento clínico alejado de sus pacientes. Resultados: De un total de 892 pacientes sin IAM sometidos a AC y dados de alta vivos, se obtuvo seguimiento clínico en 744 (83,3 por ciento) y en 772 (86,5 por ciento) sólo de su estado vital. La mayoría había presentado un síndrome coronario agudo y en el 88,7 por ciento fueron sometidos a angioplastía de un vaso. El 84,8 por ciento de las 936 lesiones fueron tratadas con stents. Se obtuvo éxito angiográfico en el 97,2 por ciento de las lesiones y clínico en un 97,6 por ciento de los pacientes. Al cabo de un seguimiento promedio de 21 meses, la mortalidad cardíaca fue de 0,9 por ciento y la total de 1,7 por ciento. Se efectuó una nueva revascularización del vaso tratado en el 5,5 por ciento de los pacientes. La sobrevida libre de eventos isquémicos mayores fue de 90,0 por ciento. Conclusiones: Los resultados extrahospitalarios de pacientes sin IAM y sometidos a AC en Chile muestran una baja mortalidad cardíaca, una baja frecuencia de revascularización del vaso tratado y una alta sobrevida libre de eventos isquémicos.

Background: In 2004 we published the in-hospital results of the first Chilean coronary angioplasty registry (RENAC). To date the long-term results of coronary angioplasty in Chile is scant. Aim: To assess the long-term results of coronary angioplasty in patients without acute myocardial infarction in Chile. Patients and Methods: Six out of 10 participating centers in RENAC between June 2001 and October 2002, providedclinical follow-up of their patients. Results: A total of 892 patients without acute myocardial infarction underwent angioplasty and were discharged alive. In 744 (83,3 percent) patients clinical follow-up was obtained and in 772 (86,5 percent) only vital status could be ascertained. Most patients underwent one vessel angioplasty (88,7 percent) for an acute coronary syndrome. Stent implantation was performed in 84,8 percent of the 936 treated coronary lesions. Angiographic success was obtained in 97,2 percent of lesions and clinical success in 97,6 percent of patients. After an average follow-up of 21 months, cardiac and all cause mortality were 0,9 and 1,7 percent. Target vessel revascularization was performed in 5,5 percent and survival free of cardiac ischemic events was 90,0 percent Conclusions: Long-term results of coronary angioplasty in patients without an acute myocardial infarction shows low rates of cardiac death, target vessel revascularization and a high survival free of cardiac ischemic events.

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BACKGROUND: Mortality caused by cardial gastric cancer in Chile, is increasing. Previously we demonstrated an association between Epstein Barr virus and this specific location of gastric cancer. AIM: To perform a clinical and molecular characterization of cardial gastric cancer associated to Epstein Barr virus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Epstein Barr virus was identified in 93 cardial gastric tumors, by in situ hybridization. Clinical and pathological features, survival and expression of p53 and c-erbB2 were compared between tumors with or without the presence of the virus. RESULTS: Twenty two (23.6%) tumors expressed Epstein Barr virus. No difference in sex or age of patients with tumors positive or negative for the virus was observed. Epstein Barr positive tumors had a tendency to have a higher frequency of Bormann III endoscopic appearance and a lower frequency of p53 accumulation (p=0.06). Five years survival was 67% and 42% of tumors positive and negative for the presence of the virus, respectively (p=0.57). CONCLUSIONS: Our results, although not significant, show a tendency towards unique characteristics of cardial gastric tumors associated to Epstein Barr.

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El adecuado tratamiento del dolor agudo postoperatorio es un desafío actual y real. La utilización de analgesia preventiva con ketamina puede ser de alta utilidad, ya que prevendría la sensibilización central mediada por receptores n-metil-diaspartato (NMDA). Objetivo: evaluar el uso preincisión de colecistectomías laparoscópicas de 0,15 mg/kg de ketamina EV. Resultados: en 84 pacientes adultos con edad promedio de 52 +/- 9 años se logró una disminución significativa del dolor postoperatorio con el uso de ketamina EV preoperatoria. La evaluación visual análoga (EVA) de dolor fue significativamente menor en las 72 horas postoperatorias estudiadas. La cantidad de analgésico de rescate (morfina) consumida fue significativamente menor en el grupo que recibió ketamina siendo en promedio de 1,7 mg/por paciente en 24 horas versus el grupo que recibió placebo, que fue de 4,2 mg/por paciente en 24 horas (p<0.01). No se registraron episodios de malos recuerdos intraoperatorios y agitación en el despertar anestésico en ninguno de los grupos. La incidencia de náuseas y vómitos no tuvo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los enfermos. El grado de satisfacción fue en general muy bueno y bueno en ambos grupos y no se evidenció diferencias entre ambos, pero los únicos dos casos que evaluaron su analgesia como mala se ubicaron en el grupo que recibió placebo. Con respecto a incidencia de pesadillas o alucinaciones, ningún paciente refirió haberlas presentado hasta 14 días postoperatorios. Conclusión: el uso de dosis bajas de ketamina EV en el preoperatorio de colecistectomías laparoscópicas es altamente recomendable, ya que proporciona una buena calidad analgésica, disminuyendo la necesidad de utilizar fármacos de rescate.

Backround: Treating acute postoperative pain is challenging. Preemptive analgesia with ketamine can be useful as it prevents central sensibilitation inhibiting NMDA receptors. Objective: To test a pre insision dose of 0.15 mg/kg ketamine during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Results: 84 patients were studied divided in two groups; group ketamine and group placebo. Acute postoperative pain was significantely lower in the ketamine group. VAS scores were lower for the 72 postoperative hours studied in patients receiving ketamine. Rescue analgesia (morphine) was 1.7 mg/patient for 24 hours in the ketamine group comparing it with the control group which was 4.2 mg/patient in 24 hours (p<0.01). Postoperative agitation, bad recalls or nightmares were absent in both groups. Postoperative nausea or vomiting had no difference comparing the groups. Patient satisfaction was evaluated good and very good by the mayority of them. There were two cases evaluating analgesic treatment as not good. Both received placebo. Conclusion: Preoperative ketamine was useful because it prometed good analgesia and because it lower the use of rescue analgesia.

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Los pesticidas son sustancias químicas usadas con frecuencia en las zonas agrícolas de nuestro país. Es un hecho bien establecido que estas sustancias pueden ser dañinas para la salud no sólo del trabajador agrícola sino también para su descendencia. Su objetivo es estudiar la asociación entre abortos espontáneos y la ocupación agrícola de la madre. Se efectuó un estudio descriptivo, recopilando las fichas clínicas de aquellas pacientes que presentaron aborto espontáneo registrados en el libro de procedimientos de la maternidad del Hospital San Francisco de Llay-Llay entre enero del 2002 y diciembre del 2003. Se calcula la tasa de incidencia de aborto espontáneo comparándola con las últimas cifras nacionales disponibles, y el porcentaje de ocupación agrícola de la madre en relación con la población femenina ocupada de 15 años o más de la misma área geográfica según Censo del 2002. Se realizó la prueba Z para comparación de proporciones, e intervalos de confianza para la razón entre las densidades de incidencia. La tasa de incidencia de aborto espontáneo fue 81,02 casos/1.000 RNV versus 9,5 casos/1.000 RNVen Chile 1996, otorgando una razón de incidencia de 8,5 veces (IC = 6,72-10,65). El porcentaje de ocupación agrícola es mayor que la población femenina ocupada de 15 años o más de la misma área geográfica. (p <0,0001). El riesgo de presentar aborto espontáneo en Llay-Llay y Catemu es mayor que el resto del país. La ocupación agrícola está relacionada con un mayor riesgo de aborto espontáneo, probablemente debida a la exposición a pesticidas.

Pesticides are chemical substances frequently used in agricultural areas of our country. It is a well established fact that these substances can be harmful to the health, not only of agricultural workers, but also to that of their offspring. The objective of this paper is that of studying the relation between spontaneous abortions and the agricultural occupation of the mother. A descriptive study was carried out assembling the clinical records of those patients presenting sponrtaneous abortion registered in the maternity book of procedures of the San Francisco de Llay-Llay Hospital between January 2002 and December 2003. The incidence of spontaneous abortion is calculated comparing it to the last available national figures, and the percentage of agricultural occupation of the mother in relation to the 15 year old and over female population of the same geographic area, according to the 2002 Census. The Z test was performed for comparison of proportions and confidence intervals for the ratio between incidence densities. The incidence rate for spontaneous abortion was 81.02 cases/1,000 live-newborn registrations (RNV) versus 9.5 cases/1,000 live-born registrations in Chile 1996, granting an incidence ratio of 8.5 (CI=6.72-10.65). The percentage of agricultural occupation is higher than the female 15 year old and over population of the same geographic area (p<0.0001). The risk of spontaneous abortion occurring in Llay-Llay or Catemu is higher than in the rest of the country. The agricultural occupation is related to a higher risk of spontaneous abortion, probably due to the exposure to pesticides.

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Este estudio describe la metodología de pares y los resultados obtenidos del consumo de drogas en población universitaria. La metodología de pares está orientada a la detección de poblaciones en que se supone podría haber una sub declaración (poblaciones ocultas), un tipo de estas poblaciones son los consumidores de drogas, en especial las ilegales. El objetivo es obtener la prevalencia del consumo de drogas legales e ilegales a través de la metodología de pares, que consiste en que un sujeto que es el entrevistador, es reconocido por otro sujeto que es el entrevistado como un “PAR”. El sujeto entrevistador debe ser previamente capacitado en el instrumento y su aplicación. Se obtuvo una muestra aleatoria de 142 jóvenes universitarios, entre 18 y 26 años, de ambos sexos. La tasa de consumo de los últimos 30 días para cualquier tipo de droga lícita alcanzó a 92,3%, siendo similares las tasas de consumo de alcohol y cigarrillos 80,3% y 78,9%, respectivamente. Para las drogas ilícitas fue de 63,4%, donde el 100 por ciento declara consumir marihuana. Las tasas de consumo de cocaína y éxtasis resultaron de 4,9% y 2,1%, respectivamente. Puesto que la mayoría de los índices obtenidos no son semejantes a los que resultan a través de los métodos tradicionales de recolección de información, parece aconsejable seguir evaluando la metodología propuesta.

In this study the peer methodology is described and the results obtained from drug consumption in a university population. The peer methodology is directed toward the detection of populations in which supposedly there could be a subdeclaration (hidden populations); one type of these populations are the drug consumers, specially of illegal drugs. The objective is that of obtaining the prevalence of legal and illegal drug consumption through the peer methodology which consists in that one subject, the interviewer, is recognized by another subject, the respondent, as a “PEER”. The interviewer must previously have been trained in the instrument and its application. A random sample of 142 young university students of both sexes, with ages ranging from 18 to 26, was obtained. The consumption rate for any type of licit drug during the last 30 days reached 92.2%, the rates of alcohol and cigarrette consumption being similar, 80.3% and 78.9% respectively. For illicit drugs, the consumption was 63.4%, of which 100% declared consuming marihuana. The consumption rates for cocaine and extasis resulted being 4.9% and 2.1%, respectively. In view of the fact that the major part of the rates obtained are not similar to those resulting from traditional methods of information gathering, it seems advisable to continue evaluating the proposed methodology.

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The incidence, risk factors, and clinical relevance of stenosis of stapled colorectal anastomosis (CRA) were studied prospectively. Anastomotic stricture was defined as the inability of traversing the anastomosis with the rigid proctoscope. The population studied consisted of 179 patients (94 males) with an average age of 59.3 years (range: 20 to 91 years). The main indication for surgery was colorectal cancer in 59% of the cases, followed by diverticular disease in 23%. The first endoscopic control was performed before 4 months in 25% of the patients, between 5 and 10 months in 50%, and during the following 10 months in 25%. Stenosis was verified with the rigid instrument in 21.1% of the cases and with the flexible colonoscope in 4.4%. The barium enema performed in 12 cases confirmed a punctiform stenosis in 5 patients, 4 of whom had been asymptomatic. An endoscopic dilatation was performed on 5 of the 8 symptomatic patients, with one relapse that required an additional dilatation. In the univariate analysis only the lesser 4-month interval was statistically significant (p = 0.033; odds ratio (OR) = 2.3; confidence interval (CI) 95% = 1.06 to 4.97). Male patients (p = 0.057; OR = 2.08; IC 95% = 0.97-4.44) show a tendency to CRA stricture that does not reach statistically significant levels. In the multivariate analysis, only sex (p = 0.04; OR = 4.11; IC 95% = 1.03 to 5.41) and the time interval (p = 0.012; OR = 2.87; IC 95% = 1.25 to 6.57) appear as independent variables in stenosis risk of a stapled CRA. The incidence of this complication depends on the criteria used for defining it. It is clinically relevant in no more than 5% of the patients. Five out of eight patients in category II were treated successfully with an endoscopic dilatation, while the other three improved spontaneously. Early stenosis, although frequent, is generally asymptomatic and disappears spontaneously. Considering the lack of correlation between the degree of stricture and its symptomatology, it is convenient to combine both the anatomic and the clinical criteria in the selection of candidates for an eventual therapeutic procedure.

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Introducción: El uso de antiinflamatorios no esteroidales (AINEs) como parte de un tratamiento analgésico balanceado busca disminuir el uso de opioides y así sus efectos adversos. Los COX-2 cumplirían esta función, pero además al no interferir con la función plaquetaria, no aumentarían el sangrado postoperatorio en tiroidectomías. Métodos: 57 pacientes fueron randomizados a recibir placebo (control) o rofecoxib 50 mg VO 2 horas preoperatorias. Luego de una anestesia general balanceada todos los pacientes fueron conectados a una bomba PCA de morfina. Se estudió la cantidad de morfina utilizada en 24 horas, la evaluación del dolor, el sangrado postoperatorio (midiendo el débito del drenaje), el hematocrito a las 24 horas, la satisfacción de los pacientes y las reacciones adversas. Resultados: El consumo de morfina fue significativamente menor en el grupo rofecoxib, 10 ± 9,98 mg versus el control que fue de 19,3 ± 9,56 mg (p=0,0018). Lo que significó un consumo 50,1 por ciento menor en este grupo. El dolor que presentó el grupo control fue significativamente superior. El sangrado postoperatorio no tuvo diferencia, 55 ± 30 ml/24 horas en el control y 68 ± 38 ml/24 horas en el grupo rofecoxib (p=0,188). La incidencia de náuseas y vómitos postoperatorios fue significativamente superior en el grupo control, (9 de 23, versus 2 de 25) (p=0,001). La satisfacción de los pacientes fue buena y muy buena en el grupo rofecoxib, mientras que en el grupo control hubo 6 enfermos (22 por ciento) que consideraron su analgesia sólo como regular. Conclusión: rofecoxib demostró disminuir el consumo de morfina en un 50 por ciento, sin aumentar el sangrado postoperatorio al compararlo con el grupo control.

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BACKGROUND: Coronary angioplasty was introduced in Chile in 1982, but only after the introduction of stents it became commonplace. However the results of this procedure at the national level remain largely unknown. AIM: To assess the results and characteristics of coronary angioplasty and develop a national registry in Chile (RENAC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: All centers performing angioplasty were invited to contribute prospectively with the clinical, angiographic, procedural characteristics and results of all consecutive coronary angioplasty procedures attempted between June 2001 and October 2002. RESULTS: In 10 centers, 1768 lesions were treated in 1484 procedures (22.98% in women). Mean age was 60.8 +/- 11.3 years old. Diabetes was found in 21.8%, hypertension in 60.2%, dyslipidemia in 52.0%, active smoking in 40.0%, renal failure in 6.2%. Myocardial infarction was recent in 28.4% and acute in 19.7%. Forty eight percent of patients had unstable angina and 15.5% had stable angina. Fifty three percent of patients had single vessel disease and 71%, normal left ventricular eyection fraction. One vessel was treated in 90.6% of patients and 81.7% of lesions were treated with stents, 17.9% only with baloon and in 0.4% with atherectomy. Angiographic success was obtained in 95.2%. Clinical success was obtained in 92.2%, and 95.1% In patients without acute myocardial infarction. Overall inhospital death was 2.2%. In patients without myocardial infarction, the figure was 1.1%. CONCLUSIONS: Coronary angioplasty in Chile is performed mostly for the treatment of acute coronary syndromes. Stents are the most frequently used devices. The high success, low mortality and complications observed are comparable to North American registries.

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PURPOSE: To compare outcome and cost of ambulatory versus hospitalized management among febrile neutropenic children at low risk for invasive bacterial infection (IBI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Children presenting with febrile neutropenia at six hospitals in Santiago, Chile, were categorized as high or low risk for IBI. Low-risk children were randomly assigned after 24 to 36 hours of hospitalization to receive ambulatory or hospitalized treatment and monitored until episode resolution. Outcome and cost were determined for each episode and compared between both groups using predefined definitions and questionnaires. RESULTS: A total of 161 (41%) of 390 febrile neutropenic episodes evaluated from June 2000 to February 2003 were classified as low risk, of which 149 were randomly assigned to ambulatory (n = 78) or hospital-based (n = 71) treatment. In both groups, mean age (ambulatory management, 55 months; hospital-based management, 66 months), sex, and type of cancer were similar. Outcome was favorable in 74 (95%) of 78 ambulatory-treated children and 67 (94%) of 71 hospital-treated children (P = NS). Mean cost of an episode was US 638 dollars (95% CI, 572 dollars to 703 dollars) and US 903 dollars (95% CI, 781 dollars to 1,025 dollars) for the ambulatory and hospital-based groups, respectively (P =.003). CONCLUSION: For children with febrile neutropenia at low risk for IBI, ambulatory management is safe and significantly cost saving compared with standard hospitalized therapy.

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BACKGROUND: CEA is widely used in the follow up of patients with colorectal carcinoma. AIM: To study the value of preoperative CEA as an independent prognostic factor in colorectal carcinoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Analysis of 373 operated patients (204 females, age range 21-92 years) with colorectal carcinoma and a mean follow up of 53 months. The cutoff value for CEA was 5 ng/ml. Ninety four percent of patients had an excisable tumor, 79% had involvement of perirectal/pericolonic adipose tissue and 46% had lymph node involvement. Staging was done using Dukes-Turnbull and TNM classifications. RESULTS: CEA was normal in 61% of cases, over 5 ng/ml in 39% and over 15 ng/ml in 22%. There was a strong correlation between mean preoperative CEA and tumor stage, depth and lymph node involvement. During the follow up, 140 patients died, 57 with normal and 83 with elevated CEA. Cancer mortality in patients subjected to a curative excision of the tumor (Dukes A-C2/TNM I-III) was 9% for colonic tumors and 36% for rectal tumors (p < 0.001). There were no survival differences in patients with Dukes B/TNM II tumors according to preoperative CEA. Among Dukes C/TNM III tumors, survival difference was only significant for rectal tumors. A Cox model disclosed tumor stage, location and preoperative CEA as independent prognostic factors for survival. CONCLUSIONS: CEA is an independent prognostic factor for survival in colorectal carcinoma and high levels suggest an advanced disease.

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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hemorrhagic stroke (HS) is a major cause of disability and death worldwide. There is a dearth of information on HS from geographically defined populations in Latin America. In this study we assessed the importance of alcohol consumption as a risk factor for HS in Chile. METHODS: Case-control study in Santiago, Chile, of 140 consecutive patients with CT-confirmed HS, matched by sex and age with 140 hospital controls. Alcohol consumption was measured in grams (ethanol) per week, using a questionnaire administered to the patients or caregivers or both. We defined four categories of alcohol consumption: nondrinkers (0.0 g/week), light (0.1-115 g/week), moderate (116-402.5 g/week) and heavy drinkers (>402.5 g/week). Other variables measured included diabetes mellitus (DM), cigarette smoking, arterial hypertension, liver disease and chronic use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID). Statistical analysis was performed with STATA 6.0 software. RESULTS: A total of 280 subjects with a mean age of 65.5 years were studied over a 3-year period, 122 men (43.5%) and 158 women (56.5%). Alcohol intake was 394.1 g/week among cases and 174.5 g/week in controls (p=0.01). The following odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were found: hypertension 4.89 (2.86-10.3) and chronic use of NSAID 3.44 (2.15-12.9). Using conditional logistic regression analysis high alcohol intake was found to have a statistically significant OR of 4.47 (CI 1.14-17.2). CONCLUSIONS: In Chile, a high alcohol intake (>402.5 g/week) increased more than 4 times the risk of HS and remained a significant risk factor for HS after controlling for hypertension, cigarette smoking, liver disease, blood cholesterol levels, and chronic use of NSAID. The risk was higher in younger patients (<65 years of age).

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Lead is a widely spread environmental pollutant known to affect both male and female reproductive systems in humans and in experimental animals. The present study investigated the effect of a chronic exposure to lead on different parameters of estrogen stimulation in the uteri of prepubertal rats. Chronic exposure to lead enhanced some parameters of estrogen stimulation, inhibited other estrogenic responses, while the remainder were unaltered. Estrogen-induced uterine eosinophilia (24 h), the proportion of uterine eosinophils in the mesometrium (6 h), and luminal epithelial hypertrophy and RNA content (24 h) appeared to be enhanced by lead exposure, compared to lead-unexposed control animals. Eosinophilia in the endometrium (6 h), the proportion of uterine eosinophils in the endometrium (6 and 24 h), edema in superficial and deep endometria (6 h), luminal epithelial hypertrophy (6 h), and mitotic response (cell proliferation) in all uterine cell types were inhibited by lead exposure, whereas circular myometrial hypertrophy was not significantly modified. The effects of lead exposure on responses to estrogen found in this study showed some differences with those previously reported for acute or subacute exposure to lead. The results revealed an interaction with the different mechanisms of estrogen action in the uterus at various levels, suggesting that some uterine cell types are more sensitive to lead than others. The relevance of the results for lead-induced infertility is discussed in this article, and possible mechanisms of action are proposed.

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